<![CDATA[Suicide ideation among college students is a global mental health concern during young adulthood when individuals face academic and psychosocial stressors. Academic difficulty is a potential risk factor for suicide ideation, but evidence remains inconsistent and mainly based on Western populations. This study examined the effect of academic difficulty on suicide ideation among college students using a meta-analysis. A meta-analysis was conducted on studies published from 2020 to 2025, retrieved from electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. A total of 13 cross-sectional studies involving 6,686 students from nine Asian countries, three African countries, and one American country were included. Adjusted odds ratios were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 with a random-effects model. The findings demonstrated a significant positive relationship between academic difficulty and suicide ideation (aOR=1.62; 95% CI=1.34-1.96; p <0.001). It is a commonly held view that students encountering difficulties in their academic work are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts. Academic difficulty has been identified as a significant risk factor associated with suicide ideation across diverse settings. The findings emphasise the significance of academic assistance and mental health screening in mitigating suicide risk among college students globally.]]>
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