Suicide related behaviors remain a critical public health problem with a complex etiology. While the relation between suicide with internalizing and mood-related disorders has received greater attention, externalizing problems are an important factor in risk for suicide related behaviors. We recapitulated here finding from a previous GWAS of externalizing problems using data derived exclusively from MVP. Our analysis demonstrates that externalizing risk is broadly associated with suicide attempt, with variations across populations. Importantly, current diagnoses of externalizing problems are associated with future suicide-related mortality. Efforts at early intervention and suicide screening should consider addressing problems related to externalizing and behavioral disinhibition in addition to other common suicide-related risk factors.
