INTRODUCTION:
Asylum seekers face a disproportionately high mental health burden, driven by displacement, uncertainty, and limited access to care.1,2 The prevalence of suicidal ideation is high among asylum seekers, yet research on its determinants remains scarce.3,4 As suicidal ideation acts as a precursor to suicidal behavior and chronic mental health problems5, it presents a serious public health challenge. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with suicidal ideation among newly arrived asylum seekers in Finland.

METHODS:
Data were drawn from the Finnish Asylum Seekers Health and Wellbeing Survey, including newly arrived asylum seekers aged 18 years and older (n=745). Suicidal ideation was measured with an item in the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. Logistic regression models were used to examine how sociodemographic, asylum, health, and trauma-related factors predict suicidal ideation.

RESULTS:
Suicidal ideation during the past week was reported by 14.4% (95% CI 11.8−16.9). Significant associations were observed with region of origin, longer travel time (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.02−2.57), lack of contact with important people abroad (2.33, 1.40−3.86), not having any relatives in Finland (1.92, 1.25−2.94), lower self-rated health (3.55, 2.30−5.47), functional limitations (2.47, 1.60-3.80), regular need for medication (2.16, 1.38−3.38), somatic symptoms (loss of appetite (3.22, 2.01−5.16), night sweats (2.62, 1.56−4.39), or pain (2.47, 1.58−3.86)), diagnosed depression (3.42, 1.97−5.93), severe depressive (16.82, 9.86−28.70) or anxiety symptoms (6.68, 4.21 −10.60), having injuries or scars (2.22, 1.42−3.47), and exposure to at least one potentially traumatic event (8.00, 1.80−35.5).

CONCLUSIONS:
Suicidal ideation among newly arrived asylum seekers in Finland was common and was linked to diverse factors beyond mental health symptoms alone. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive and holistic support addressing issues beyond mental health.