Childhood Suicide in Tunisia: Forensic and Psychological Aspects

In Tunisia, since revolution, suicide among children and adolescents has increased considerably, becoming the second manner of death in this age group. Therefore, our study proposes to describe the epidemiological characteristics and the risk factors that could precipitate death by suicide among these categories.

Using the psychological autopsy method, we studied 57 cases of children under 18 years old of which 16 cases committed suicide and 41 cases made one or more suicide attempts in the governorate of Mahdia (Tunisia). Socio-demographic factors, characteristics of the suicide, family history and thanatological aspects were documented.

Most of children and adolescents committing or attempting suicide were girls (75%). The majority of suicidal attempts were performed at the child/adolescent's home (62%) and history of previous suicide attempts were registered in 26% of cases. Furthermore, a dysfunctional family was the main risk factor (54%) that precipitates suicide among these categories.

Studying our population, we identified multiple characteristics of adolescents and children who died by suicide or attempted suicide. Most of them, were dying at their houses and derived from dysfunctional families. One third of our population committed suicide and died from the first try without any notification or suicidal attempts. These characteristics and risk factors should be considered in the future to promote preventive programs and strategies in order to fight suicidal behaviors among Tunisian children.