Suicidal behaviour in children

Abstract

Because of the rarity of suicide and attempted suicide in young children the subject is not commonly studied and is quite poorly understood. Indeed, we have longed denied the possibility of a young child's enactment of a suicidal desire. The myth of total childhood innocence paired with societal views on death and mourning make suicide at this age unacceptable and furthermore, unthinkable. Everything is positioned towards denial; however suicidal behaviour does exist in children and we can identify specifics surrounding the methods used, and their meaning in both the social and environmental contexts in which they take place. Within the following we will suggest and provide tools for prevention and treatment.