children s health issues
Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents
Risk Factors
Suicidal thoughts do not always lead to suicidal behavior, but they are a risk factor for suicidal behavior. Several factors typically interact before suicidal thoughts become suicidal behavior. Very often there is an underlying mental health disorder and a stressful event that triggers the behavior. Stressful events include Death of a loved one A suicide in school or another group of peers Loss of a boyfriend or girlfriend A move from familiar surroundings (such as the school or neighborhood) or friends Humiliation by family members or friends Being bullied at school, especially for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students Failure at school Trouble with the law However, such stressful events are fairly common among children and rarely lead to suicidal behavior if there are no other underlying problems. The most common underlying problems are the following: Depression and Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Children and Adolescents : Substance Use in Adolescents : Adolescents, particularly those who have a disruptive behavioral disorder such as Conduct Disorder , may act without thinking. Other mental disorders and physical disorders can also increase the risk of suicide. They include Overview of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents , Children and adolescents attempting suicide are sometimes angry with family members or friends, are unable to tolerate the anger, and turn the anger against themselves. They may wish to manipulate or punish other people (“They will be sorry after I am dead”). Having difficulty communicating with their parents may contribute to the risk of suicide. Sometimes suicidal behavior results when a child imitates the actions of others. For example, a well-publicized suicide, such as that of a celebrity, is often followed by other suicides or suicide attempts. Similarly, copycat suicides sometimes occur in schools. Suicide is more likely in families in which mood disorders are common, especially if there is a family history of suicide or other violent behavior. 