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Objectives: Daily cannabis use can portend problematic use or dependence. We aimed to identify early risk factors for daily cannabis use in young adults.Methods: Data were available in a longitudinal investigation of 1294 grade 7 students age 12 to 13 years at inception recruited in 10 secondary schools in Montreal, Canada, in 1999. Data on daily cannabis use were collected in mailed self-report questionnaires from 878 participants (67.9% of 1294) at age 20. The associations between each of 23 potential risk factors measured in grade 7 and daily cannabis use at age 20 were modeled using logistic regression.Results: At age 20, 44% of participants reported past-year cannabis use; 10% reported daily use. Older age; male sex; higher levels of family stress and other stress; use of alcohol, cigarettes, and other tobacco products; parent(s), sibling(s), and friend(s) smoke cigarettes; higher body mass index; higher impulsivity and novelty seeking; and lower self-esteem increased the odds of daily cannabis use.Conclusions: Children at risk of daily cannabis use as young adults can be identified early. They may benefit from early intervention to prevent problematic cannabis use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Common short screening measures of dependence that use number of cigarettes per day may not be appropriate for use in populations of occasional smokers.Aims: In this study, we investigate whether perceived addiction (PA) predicts quit attempts and successful cessation among occasional smokers.Methods: Current occasional smokers (18+) in the Ontario Tobacco Survey (OTS) longitudinal cohort study followed up every six months for up to three years. Respondents rated their self-perceived level of addiction (very vs. somewhat or not very addicted). Generalised Estimating Equation models and proportional hazard models were used to test the predictive ability of PA.Results/Findings: Occasional smokers with very high PA had a higher likelihood of reporting a quit attempt (RR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.88, 3.30) after adjusting for demographics. Given an incident quit attempt, occasional smokers who reported being very addicted were 2.93 times more likely to relapse (95%: 2.01, 4.28). The effect of PA was independent of other predictors of smoking behaviour.Conclusions: For some, occasional smokers, smoking cessation is a difficult process that may require significant support. Asking occasional smokers about PA is an effective way to predict likely success in quitting smokers that may be easily assessed in population based, as well as in community and clinical, settings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study is a prospective cohort investigation of 1294 students recruited in 1999-2000 from all grade 7 classes in a convenience sample of 10 high schools in Montreal, Canada. Its primary objectives were to study the natural course and determinants of cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence in novice smokers. The main source of data was self-report questionnaires administered in class at school every 3 months from grade 7 to grade 11 (1999-2005), for a total of 20 survey cycles during high school education. Questionnaires were also completed after graduation from high school in 2007-08 and 2011-12 (survey cycles 21 and 22, respectively) when participants were aged 20 and 24 years on average, respectively. In addition to its primary objectives, NDIT has embedded studies on obesity, blood pressure, physical activity, team sports, sedentary behaviour, diet, genetics, alcohol use, use of illicit drugs, second-hand smoke, gambling, sleep and mental health. Results to date are described in 58 publications, 20 manuscripts in preparation, 13 MSc and PhD theses and 111 conference presentations. Access to NDIT data is open to university-appointed or affiliated investigators and to masters, doctoral and postdoctoral students, through their primary supervisor (www.nditstudy.ca). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The relationship between the onset of smoking and the onset of depression among adolescents has been well document, but the mechanisms underlying the relationship are unclear. This paper uses an empirical method to assess potential intermediate variables in the pathway between changes in depressive symptoms and cigarette smoking in a longitudinal cohort of adolescents. Methods 837 participants from a cohort in Montreal, Canada who had not smoked and did not have elevated depressive symptoms at baseline were followed for five years from 1999 to 2003. The role of a set of 15 variables previously identified in the literature as potential confounders were systematically evaluated as predictors of exposure and outcome, for attenuation of the association by more than 10%, and for intra-individual change in the variable after onset of exposure. Results The magnitude of the association between smoking and depressive symptoms was fully attenuated after adjustment for all variables included indiscriminately. A concept map was developed detailing the empirical associations between the variables within this data set. Stress, worry about weight, and worry about parents were identified as intermediate variables for both smoking predicting depressive symptoms and depressive symptoms predicting smoking. Cox regressions with appropriate confounders maintained statistical significance. Conclusion Cigarette smoking is associated with higher depressive symptoms prior to and after inclusion of empirical confounders. Inclusion of intermediate variables in multivariable models can lead to the erroneous conclusion that there is no association between smoking and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND This study explores the patterns of use and co-use of tobacco and cannabis among Ontario adolescents over 3 decades and if characteristics of co-users and single substance users have changed. METHODS Co-use trends for 1981-2011 were analyzed using the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, which includes 38,331 students in grades 7, 9, and 11. A co-user was defined as someone reporting daily tobacco and/or cannabis use in the past month. Trends over time (by gender and academic performance) were analyzed with logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of tobacco-only use, cannabis-only use, and co-use fluctuated considerably. During 1981-1993, there were more tobacco-only users than co-users and cannabis-only users; since 1993 the prevalence of tobacco use has decreased dramatically. Co-use prevalence peaked at 12% (95% confidence interval: 9, 15) in 1999, when prevalence of overall use of both substances was highest. In 2011, 92% of tobacco users also used cannabis, up from 16% in 1991. CONCLUSIONS In 2011 nearly all students who smoke tobacco daily also use cannabis. Non-regular use of either substance is highest now compared with the past 3 decades. Contemporary tobacco and cannabis co-users are significantly different than past users. Youth prevention programs should understand the changing context of cannabis and tobacco among youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commentary is provided regarding the article "Comparison between success rates for smokers re‐treated by a smokers’ clinic and success rates for smokers treated for the first time" by L. Stepankova, E. Kralikova, and others which appears in the same issue of the journal. According to the article, a second round of smoking cessation treatment can be just as effective as the first round of therapy. The difficulties associated with quitting smoking are assessed.

Abstract: Background: Anxiety symptoms may be a barrier to physical activity (PA) such that persons who experience anxiety engage in less PA. The purpose of this study was to assess if symptoms of panic disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or agoraphobia are associated with frequency, intensity or type of PA in young adults. Methods: Data on lifetime anxiety symptoms and current PA levels were collected in self-report questionnaires in 2007–2008 from 880 persons aged 18–24 years participating in the Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study. The associations between anxiety symptom subtypes and different PA modalities were investigated in five multivariable logistic regression models, one for each of five PA indicators (i.e., meeting moderate-to vigorous PA (MVPA) guidelines, meeting strength training guidelines, meeting both MVPA and strength training guidelines, participating in team sports, frequent walking) as outcomes. Results: 37%, 47%, 40% and 21% of participants reported lifetime symptoms of panic disorder, social phobia, GAD, and agoraphobia, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, participants who endorsed lifetime GAD symptoms were statistically significantly less likely to meet MVPA guidelines (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4–0.8, p <0.05), and MVPA and strength training guidelines (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5–1.0, p <0.05). Those with agoraphobia symptoms were more likely to walk frequently [OR (95% CI)=1.6 (1.1, 2.3)]. Conclusion: PA interventions may need to be tailored to people who have experienced specific anxiety symptoms to maximize adherence to PA recommendations, and increase the potential for health benefits from PA participation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Few studies have examined the transitions of smokers in the general population through multiple periods of daily, occasional smoking, or abstinence over time. Transitions from daily to occasional smoking are particularly of interest as these may be steps toward cessation.Methods: The Ontario Tobacco Survey panel study followed 4,355 baseline smokers, semiannually for up to 3 years. Probabilities of all possible changes in smoking status more than 6 months were estimated using 13,000 repeated measures observations generated from sets of 3 consecutive interviews (n = 9,932 daily smokers, 1,245 occasion smokers, and 1,823 abstinent for at least 30 days, at Time 1).Results: For initial daily smokers, an estimated 83% remained daily smokers more than 2 follow-ups. The majority of those who had been abstinent for 30 days at 1 interview, were also former smokers at the following interview. In contrast, occasional smoking status was unstable and future smoking status was dependent upon smoking history and subjective dependence. Among daily smokers who became occasional smokers 6 months later, an estimated 20% became a former smoker, at the next interview, but 50% returned to daily smoking. Daily, turned occasional smokers who rebounded back to daily smoking were more likely to describe themselves as addicted at Time 1. Continuing occasional smokers were somewhat less likely to intend to quit, or have tried, despite considering themselves less addicted.Conclusions: Reducing to occasional smoking can be a stepping stone toward cessation but entails a greater risk of return to daily smoking, compared with complete abstinence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes developmental trajectories of depressive symptoms in adolescents and examines the association between trajectory group and mental health outcomes in young adulthood. Methods: Depressive symptoms were self-reported every three months from grade seven through grade 11 by 1293 adolescents in the Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study and followed in young adulthood (average age 20.4, SD=0.7, n=865). Semi-parametric growth modeling was used to identify sex-specific trajectories of depressive symptoms. Results: Three distinct trajectory groups were identified: 50% of boys and 29% of girls exhibited low, decreasing levels of depressive symptoms; 14% of boys and 28% of girls exhibited high and increasing levels; and 36% of boys and 43% of girls exhibited moderate levels with linear increase. Trajectory group was a statistically significant independent predictor of depression, stress, and selfrated mental health in young adulthood in boys and girls. Boys, but not girls, in the high trajectory group had a statistically significant increase in the likelihood of seeking psychiatric care. Conclusions: Substantial heterogeneity in changes in depressive symptoms over time was found. Because early depressive symptoms predict mental health problems in young adulthood, monitoring adolescents for depressive symptoms may help identify those most at risk and in need of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the body of tobacco research as a whole. Purpose: This paper examines the changes in literature focus (1980s to 2000s) and identifies areas in need of increased attention. Methods: Tobacco articles randomly selected from searches of the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases were coded according to (1) epidemiologic framework component; (2) study focus; and (3) form of tobacco. Frequencies, cross-tabulations, and tests of proportions were conducted. The analysis was conducted in 2009. Results: From the 1980s to the 2000s, there was a significant decrease in tobacco-related articles focusing on the “agent” and an increase in articles focusing on the “host.” Few articles in either decade focused on the “environment” or on the “vector” (<10%). The percentage of study foci addressing health effects decreased, whereas prevalence/use and cessation foci increased. Approximately two thirds of articles focused on the cigarette. Conclusions: The nature of tobacco research has shifted from examining the links between cigarettes and disease to understanding why people smoke and how to help them quit. Proportionately more research could focus on the environment and vector components of the epidemiologic framework, to expand strategies for reducing tobacco-related disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To examine the effect of varying levels of comprehensive tobacco control on smoking in a global context. Methods Using data from WHO's Reports on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, scatter plots were produced to visualise the relationship between comprehensive tobacco control policy (2008 MPOWER composite score) and change in current tobacco smoking between 2006 and 2009. Fixed-effect regression models assessed the effect of changes in each MPOWER measure on changes in current tobacco smoking between 2006 and 2009. All analyses were stratified by sex. Results Overall, countries with higher MPOWER composite scores experienced greater decreases in current tobacco smoking between the years 2006 and 2009. Regression analyses revealed that the M and R measures showed a negative association with current tobacco smoking over time. Current tobacco smoking decreased (1.07 percentage points for males, 1.04 percentage points for females) with each increase in score value for monitoring tobacco use (M). Also, current tobacco smoking decreased (0.95 percentage points for males, 0.41 percentage points for females) with each increase in score value for raising taxes on tobacco (R). The effect of the MPOWER measures on current tobacco smoking varied by country income status (P measure in the female analysis; p<0.05) and/or by WHO region (M, P and O measures in the male analysis; p<0.05). Conclusions Higher levels of MPOWER combined, as well as continued and frequent monitoring of tobacco use (M) and increasing taxation (R), were associated with a decrease in current tobacco smoking over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing number of internet users presents an opportunity to deliver health interventions to large populations. Despite their potential, many web-based interventions, including those for smoking cessation, face high rates of attrition. Further consideration of how intervention features impact attrition is needed.Objective: The aim of this systematic review is to investigate whether tailored web-based smoking cessation interventions for smokers are associated with reduced rates of attrition compared with active or passive untailored web-based interventions. The outcomes of interest were dropout attrition at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups.Methods: Literature searches were conducted in May 2018 and updated in May 2020 on MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), PsycINFO (Psychological Information), EMBASE (Excerpta Medica dataBASE), CINAHL (Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scopus, and the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register with the following search terms: smoking cessation, tailored, or web- or internet-based. Included studies were published in English before or in May 2020 using a randomized controlled trial design. Studies were restricted to those with web-based delivery, a tailored intervention group, an untailored control group, and a reported outcome of smoking cessation. Studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Two reviewers independently extracted the study characteristics and the number of participants lost to follow-up for each treatment group.Results: A total of 13 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 11 (85%) were included in the meta-analysis. Tailoring had no statistically significant effect on dropout attrition at 1-month (risk ratio [RR]=1.02, 95% CI 0.95-1.09; P=.58; I2=78%), 3-month (RR=0.99, 95% CI 0.95-1.04; P=.80; I2=73%), 6-month (RR=1.00, 95% CI 0.95-1.05; P=.90; I2=43%), or 12-month (RR=0.97, 95% CI 0.92-1.02; P=.26; I2=28%) follow-ups. Subgroup analyses suggested that there was a statistically significant effect of tailoring between the active and passive subgroups at 1-month (P=.03), 3-month (P<.001), and 6-month (P=.02) follow-ups but not at 12-month follow-up (P=.25).Conclusions: The results suggest that tailoring of web-based smoking cessation interventions may not be associated with reduced rates of dropout attrition at 1-, 3-, 6-, or 12-month follow-ups. Significant differences between studies that include untailored active and passive control groups suggest that the role of tailoring may be more prominent when studies include a passive control group. These findings may be because of variability in the presence of additional features, the definition of smokers used, and the duration of smoking abstinence measured. Future studies should incorporate active web-based controls, compare the impact of different tailoring strategies, and include populations outside of the Western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research has shown that neighbourhood-level factors, such as the density of retail outlets selling tobacco and neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage affect smoking prevalence, with high levels of outlet density and neighbourhood disadvantage related to higher smoking prevalence. However, few studies have considered the role of other neighbourhood processes like stressors including perceived neighbourhood disorder in these effects. The present study examined the effects of tobacco outlet density, neighbourhood income and perceived neighbourhood disorder on smoking prevalence among a representative sample of 2,412 adult neighbourhood residents in a large urban centre in Canada. Tobacco outlet density and perceived neighbourhood disorder were significantly associated with smoking in an unadjusted multilevel model, but only perceived neighbourhood disorder remained significant in a model adjusting for other confounders. Findings suggest the need for community-based interventions to address the relationship between neighbourhood disorder and smoking, as well as more research on the combined role of tobacco availability and neighbourhood stressors, beyond neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage, on smoking behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the factors that influence smoking cessation among young people is crucial for planning targeted cessation approaches. The objective of this review was to comprehensively summarize evidence for predictors of different smoking cessation related behaviors among young people from currently available systematic reviews. We searched six databases and reference lists of the included articles for studies published up to October 20, 2023. All systematic reviews summarizing predictors of intention to quit smoking, quit attempts, or smoking abstinence among people aged 10–35 years were included. We excluded reviews on effectiveness of smoking cessation intervention; smoking prevention and other smoking behaviors; cessation of other tobacco products use, dual use, and polysubstance use. We categorized the identified predictors into 5 different categories for 3 overlapping age groups. JBI critical appraisal tool and GRADE-CERqual approach were used for quality and certainty assessment respectively. A total of 11 systematic reviews were included in this study; all summarized predictors of smoking abstinence/quit attempts and two also identified predictors of intention to quit smoking. Seven reviews had satisfactory critical appraisal score and there was minimal overlapping between the reviews. We found 4 'possible' predictors of intention to quit smoking and 119 predictors of smoking abstinence/quit attempts. Most of these 119 predictors were applicable for ~10–29 years age group. We had moderate confidence on the 'probable', 'possible', 'insufficient evidence', and 'inconsistent direction' predictors and low confidence on the 'probably unrelated' factors. The 'probable' predictors include a wide variety of socio-demographic factors, nicotine dependence, mental health, attitudes, behavioral and psychological factors, peer and family related factors, and jurisdictional policies. These predictors can guide improvement of existing smoking cessation interventions or planning of new targeted intervention programs. Other predictors as well as predictors of intention to quit smoking need to be further investigated among adolescents and young adults separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Youth engagement in research, wherein youth are involved in the research beyond mere participation as human subjects, is growing and becoming more popular as an approach to research. However, systematic and deliberate theory‐building has been limited. We conducted a systematic review to identify and synthesize theories, models and frameworks that have been applied in the engagement of youth in health research, including mental health. Methods: Six academic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL) and the grey literature were searched for relevant studies. Citation tracking was conducted through ancestry and descendancy searches. The final search was completed on 7 February 2023. Findings were summarized in a narrative synthesis informed by principles of hermeneutic analysis and interpretation. Reporting of results is in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses) 2020 Statement. Results: Of the 1156 records identified, 16 papers were included, from which we extracted named theories (n = 6), implicit theories (n = 5) and models and frameworks (n = 20) used for youth engagement in health research. We identified theories that were explicitly stated and surfaced theories that were more implicitly suggested. Models and frameworks were organized into four categories based on their principal features: power‐focused (n = 8), process‐focused (n = 7), impact‐focused (n = 3) and equity‐focused (n = 2). Few frameworks (n = 5) were empirically tested in health‐related research. Conclusions: The state of theoretical development in youth engagement in research is still evolving. In this systematic review, we identified theories, models and frameworks used for youth engagement in health research. Findings from this systematic review offer a range of resources to those who seek to develop and strengthen youth engagement in their own research. Patient or Public Contribution: Youth engaged as patients in the research were not involved in planning or conducting the systematic review. However, youth researchers in their early to mid‐20s led the planning, implementation and interpretation of the review. As part of subsequent work, we formed a youth advisory board to develop a youth‐led knowledge mobilization intended for an audience of youth with lived experience of being engaged as patients in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical trials show the efficacy of dentists' counseling in smoking cessation. However, little is known about the effectiveness of such advice in the general population of smokers. Objective: To examine the association between dentists' advice, use of cessation medications and quitting behaviours in the general population of adult smokers in Ontario, Canada. Methods: Data were from the Ontario Tobacco Survey panel study, which followed people who were smokers in July 2005 semi-annually for up to 3 years until June 2011. Baseline smokers, who were seen by a dentist during the study, were included in the analysis (n = 2714 with 7549 observations). Logistic regression analysis with generalized estimating equations was used to examine associations among dentists' advice, use of cessation medications and quitting outcomes (quit attempts and short-term quitting ≥ 30 days). Results: Those who received dentists' advice were more addicted to tobacco, compared with those who did not receive dentists' advice (self-perceived addiction to tobacco: 96% vs. 89%, p < 0.001). Dentists' advice alone was not associated with making an attempt to quit smoking or short-term quitting. However, receiving dentists' advice in conjunction with cessation medications was associated with a higher likelihood of quit attempts (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 9.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.77-12.47) and short-term quitting (adjusted OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.20-4.62), compared with not receiving dentists' advice and not using cessation medications. Conclusion: Dentists play an important role in smoking cessation, because they can encourage patients to stop smoking and promote success by advising patients to use cessation medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the law introduced by the government of Hungary to reduce youth smoking that will limit the distribution of tobacco products nationwide to government-licensed or a designated retail outlets network.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on various dimensions of wellbeing among 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness over a 12-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: 2SLGBTQ+ youth (recruited using a convenience sampling method) participated in three online surveys to assess mental health (depression, anxiety, suicidality), substance and alcohol use, health care access, and violence for 12-months between 2021–2022. Quantitative data analysis included non-parametric one-sample proportion tests, paired t-test and McNemar's test. Longitudinal data collected across all three timepoints were treated as paired data and compared to baseline data using non-parametric exact multinomial tests, and if significant, followed by pairwise post-hoc exact binomial tests. For the purposes of analysis, participants were grouped according to their baseline survey based on pandemic waves and public health restrictions. Results: 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness (n = 87) reported high rates of mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, over 12-months during the pandemic. Youth participants reported experiencing poor mental health during the early waves of the pandemic, with improvements to their mental health throughout the pandemic; however, results were not statistically significant. Likewise, participants experienced reduced access to mental health care during the early waves of the pandemic but mental health care access increased for youth throughout the pandemic. Conclusion: Study results showed high rates of mental health issues among 2SLGBTQ+ youth, but reduced access to mental health care, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight the need for 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming mental health care and services to address social and mental health issues that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the mental health and substance use challenges among many people who are Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex (2SLGBTQI+). We aimed to identify the important correlates and their effects on the predicted likelihood of wanting to seek help among 2SLGBTQI+ young adults for mental health or substance use concerns during the pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2020–2021 among 2SLGBTQI+ young adults aged 16–29 living in two Canadian provinces (Ontario and Quebec). Among 1414 participants, 77% (n = 1089) wanted to seek help for their mental health or substance use concerns during the pandemic, out of these, 69.8% (n = 760) reported delay in accessing care. We built a random forest (RF) model to predict the status of wanting to seek help, which achieved moderately high performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.85. The top 10 correlates of wanting to seek help were worsening mental health, age, stigma and discrimination, and adverse childhood experiences. The interactions of adequate housing with certain sexual orientations, gender identities and mental health challenges were found to increase the likelihood of wanting to seek help. We built another RF model for predicting risk of delay in accessing care among participants who wanted to seek help (n = 1089). The model identified a similar set of top 10 correlates of delay in accessing care but lacked adequate performance (AUC 0.61). These findings can direct future research and targeted prevention measures to reduce health disparities for 2SLGBTQI+ young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual and gender minority populations are at elevated risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts and attempting suicide. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health and substance use challenges among this population. We aimed to examine the relative importance and effects of intersectional factors and strong interactions associated with the risk of suicidal thoughts among Canadian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and Two Spirit (LGBTQI2S+) young adults. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among LGBTQI2S + participants aged 16–29 years living in two Canadian provinces (Ontario, Quebec). Among 1414 participants (mean age 21.90 years), 61% (n = 857) participants reported suicidal thoughts in last 12 months. We built a random forest model to predict the risk of having past year suicidal thoughts, which achieved high performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.84. The top 10 correlates identified were: seeking help from health professionals for mental health or substance use issues since the start of the pandemic, current self-rated mental health status, insulted by parents or adults in childhood, ever heard that being identifying as LGBTQI2S+ is not normal, age in years, past week feeling depressed, lifetime diagnosis of mental illness, lifetime diagnosis of depressive disorder, past week feeling sad, ever pretended to be straight or cisgender to be accepted. The increase in the risk of suicidal thoughts for those having mental health challenges or facing minority stressors is more pronounced in those living in urban areas or being unemployed than those living in rural areas or being employed. • LGBTQI2S + young adults reported high rate of suicidal thoughts during COVID-19. • Mental health, age, stigma and minority stressors were most important correlates. • Unemployed or urban residents facing mental issues or stressors had increased risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]