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Community Firearm Violence, Youth Depression, and Suicide Risk in Philadelphia: 2017-2024
Jungwon Min1,2,3,4, Vicky Tam5, Sara F Jacoby1,4
1Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Pediatrics
|August 2, 2026
Summary
Youth suicide risk remains elevated post-pandemic, especially in high-violence areas. Addressing community violence and pandemic stressors is crucial for improving adolescent mental health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Medicine
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Youth depression and suicide rates rose during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Philadelphia experienced a surge in firearm violence, which has since decreased.
- Community violence is linked to increased trauma and stress in young people.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if youth depression and suicide risk declined post-pandemic.
- To investigate if community firearm violence influenced these mental health trends.
- To analyze the impact of violence on adolescent mental health trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 71,663 youth (ages 12-18) in Philadelphia (2017-2024).
- Screening for depression and suicidality using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-A).
- Analysis of mental health outcomes across pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic eras, stratified by neighborhood violence levels.
Main Results:
- Suicide risk remained elevated post-pandemic (10.8% vs 9.6%), particularly for non-Hispanic Black and Medicaid-insured youth.
- Community firearm violence moderated suicide risk changes: risk declined in low-violence areas but increased in high-violence areas.
- Depression rates returned to pre-pandemic levels (7.6% vs 7.3%).
Conclusions:
- Youth suicide risk persists post-pandemic, especially in communities with high firearm violence.
- Interventions must address ongoing pandemic-related stressors alongside community violence.
- Targeted strategies are needed to improve adolescent mental health in affected areas.
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