Related Experiment Videos
[Suicide in schoolchildren (author's transl)]
MMW, Munchener Medizinische Wochenschrift
|April 6, 1979
Summary
Childhood suicide is a serious issue, with poisoning and hanging being common methods. Even seemingly minor triggers can lead to suicide in children, highlighting the need to take all suicide declarations seriously.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Forensic Psychology
- Public Health
Context:
- Reports on 66 completed suicides and 22 attempted suicides in children aged 9-16 years.
- Identifies common methods: poisoning and hanging.
- Highlights that motivations are multifactorial and provocations can be minor.
Purpose:
- To analyze the characteristics and potential contributing factors of suicide and attempted suicide in children.
- To emphasize the importance of recognizing and responding to suicide warnings in pediatric populations.
- To underscore the role of adult behavior and intervention in suicide prevention.
Summary:
- Suicides occurred in 66 children (47 boys, 19 girls) and attempts in 22 (8 boys, 14 girls).
- Farewell letters, prior suicide announcements, and previous attempts were noted in some cases.
- 70% lived with parents; 10% had pre-existing behavioral disorders.
Impact:
- Stresses the critical need to take all child suicide announcements seriously.
- Suggests that appropriate adult responses could potentially prevent child suicides.
- Informs clinical practice and public health strategies for pediatric suicide prevention.