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Suicidality in Childhood and Adolescence
Merle Becker1, Christoph U Correll
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin; The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, NY, USA;Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Department of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine,Hempstead, NY, USA; The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Center for PsychiatricNeuroscience, Manhasset, NY, USA.
Deutsches Arzteblatt International
|May 26, 2020
Summary
Suicide in minors is a significant issue, with mental illness and bullying increasing risks. Early intervention and family-centered treatments are crucial for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent psychiatry
- Child and adolescent mental health
- Suicidology
Background:
- Suicide among minors in Germany is statistically rare but represents a clinically and societally significant problem.
- Despite low absolute numbers, a substantial percentage of adolescents report suicidal ideation and attempts in school surveys.
- This highlights the critical need to address adolescent suicidality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on suicide risk factors in children and adolescents.
- To outline preventive and therapeutic strategies for adolescent suicidality.
- To inform clinical practice and public health initiatives.
Main Methods:
- A selective literature search was conducted in PubMed and PsycInfo databases.
- Search terms included "suicidality," "suicidal*," and "suicide."
- Additional information was sourced from relevant textbooks published between 1991 and 2017.
Main Results:
- Mental illness elevates suicide risk 3-12 fold; bullying and non-suicidal self-injurious behavior (NSSB) are also significant risk factors.
- Medication intoxication is the most common suicide attempt method (67.7%), and most suicides have preceding warning signs.
- Family-centered treatments can reduce suicidal ideation and attempts; psychiatric hospitalization is indicated for acute danger.
Conclusions:
- Preventing suicide requires identifying risk factors and establishing clear indications for preventive and therapeutic measures.
- While antidepressant use in adolescents is controversial due to potential suicidality increases, they should not be withheld if indicated, under close observation.
- Online therapeutic modalities show promise for future interventions, particularly for tech-savvy young patients.
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