Introduction

Depression and hopelessness linked to suicidal behavior are variables present in the university population. The literature has shown that medical students have risk factors that make them vulnerable to such behaviors.

Objective

To describe the sociodemographic variables and correlate the results of instruments linked to suicidal behavior, depression and hopelessness in university medical students.

Method

Cross-sectional and correlational study that included medical students from a private university. Personal data questionnaires and the instruments of suicidal ideation (SSI), depression (BDI) and Beck's hopelessness (BHS) were used, validated for the Mexican population. Informed consent was granted and the questionnaire was administered online.

Results

85 students were surveyed, 37 men (43.5%) and 48 women (56.5%), from 1st to 8th semester. 11 students reported having a family member attempt suicide, while 7 family members completed suicide; 10 students have had 1 to 2 previous suicide attempts, 16 students reported having more than 4 suicidal ideations, 35 of the students reported having friends with suicidal attempts and 9 reported friends who completed suicide. Finally, correlations are shown between BDI and SSI between the FCA with CAHVM (r = .74, p < .05) and AI (r = .53, p < .05), as well as FS with CAHVM (r = .64 , p < .05) as well as AI (r = .43, p < .05), finally a relationship was found between BHS in ESF and CAHVM (r = .60, p < .05).

Conclusions

This study reported the sociodemographic characteristics of medical students from a private university and the correlation between depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. Symptoms of depression, hopelessness, and relevant family and social history regarding suicidal behaviors were presented that may be risk factors for these students. This reveals the importance of preventing and providing emotional tools from the first semesters of the degree.