Cannabis use in association with past 30-day suicide ideation and suicide attempt among university students in northern Morocco

Background: Suicide rates continue to rise, especially among young people, and is considered one of the world's leading causes of death. Suicidal ideation represents a significant risk factor for mortality, particularly among cannabis users. Aim: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the risk of suicide among students, particularly those who use cannabis. Methods: In this quantitative study, we utilized the M.I.N.I. questionnaire to gather data on mental disorders, including suicidal risk. The questionnaire was administered to students at the Abdelmalek Essaâdi University campus in Tetouan, with an average age of 21, of which 52.56% were female. Along with the questionnaire, we included a background questionnaire that collected socio-demographic information, history of psychoactive substance use, family background, and early childhood experiences to identify the risk factors associated with each mental disorder under investigation. Results: In this sample of 1191 students, 322 is the number of those presenting a suicidal risk with a prevalence of 27.03%, of which 41.7% are cannabis users. Conclusions: In line with previous studies, cannabis use at a young age can lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.