International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS) Vol. 14, No. 3, September 2025, pp. 1221~1231 ISSN: 2252-8806, DOI: 10.11591/ijphs.v14i3.25128  1221 Journal homepage: http://ijphs.iaescore.com Physical activity interventions for adolescent suicide ideation and behavior: a rapid review Richard Peter Bailey 1,2 , Nadia Samsudin 1 , Francis Ries 3 , Janet Ann Fernandez 4 1 Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2 Wellbeing Research Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 3 Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Seville, Andalusia, Spain 4 Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development, University of Malaysia Sarawak, Samarahan, Malaysia Article Info ABSTRACT Article history: Received May 10, 2024 Revised Nov 21, 2024 Accepted Dec 13, 2024 Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and mental health issues have become significant public health challenges. This review aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors during adolescence. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were sourced from SPORTDiscus, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Google Scholar. The review included English-language peer- reviewed articles published between January 2018 and March 2023, focusing on physical activity, sport, and mental health in adolescents aged 10 to 19. Adolescents with low levels of physical activity or high levels of sedentary behavior were at greater risk of suicidal thoughts compared to their more physically active counterparts. Although moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was not directly associated with self-harm or mental health disorders, the overall mental health benefits of physical activity, especially in the context of socially engaging sports, were evident. Some aspects of these associations warrant further investigation. Physical activity and sport offer cost-effective, widely accepted interventions that have significant potential to reduce the risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors among adolescents. Given the devastating impact of suicide on young people, incorporating physical activity into mental health promotion and intervention strategies is crucial. Keywords: Exercise Mental health Public health Sedentary lifestyle Suicidal thoughts This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license. Corresponding Author: Nadia Samsudin Faculty of Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, UCSI University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Email: nadia.samsudin@ucsiuniversity.edu.my 1. INTRODUCTION Suicide is one of the most pressing global public health problems, resulting in more than 700,000 loss of lives every year [1]. Strikingly, the suicide rate among adolescents increased between 2018 and 2020 [2]. Suicide is an act of purposeful self-inflicted injury causing death [3] and being most frequently observed among youth and ranking as the fourth leading cause of death worldwide [4]. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) account for over 77% of all suicides globally [5], with the highest regional rates reported in Southeast Asia (10.2 per 100,000), Europe (10.5 per 100,000), and Africa (11.2 per 100,000) [4]. Males are more likely to complete suicide, often using more lethal methods, while females attempt suicide more frequently [6]. The causes of suicide are highly complex and often linked to mental health disorders, yet much about its underlying mechanisms remains unclear [3], [7]. Mental and substance-use disorders are