Child Suicide

Child suicide is one of the most emotive areas of mental health, largely due to the widespread consequences for families and friends of a young person who has ended their lives by suicide.

In common with other mental health conditions, it must be remembered that suicidal behaviour runs on a continuum, ranging from having the idea of suicide (ideation) to the actual ending of life (suicide). Child suicide remains a major issue in our society, with an average of one attempt by an adolescent every half hour.

child suicide, children, suicide, youth depression, sad girl, anxiety

There are many factors which may lead to a young person accessing the suicidal continuum. Firstly, environmental factors like: bullying, stress, traumatic events or school pressures may be particularly pressing.

In addition, family factors such as: family breakdown, death of a person close to the young person, being a young carer, being a looked-after child or having a member of the family or friend who has recently completed suicide themselves will add to the day to day pressures faced by all young people.

swing, rose, child suicide, children, suicide, youth depression, sad girl, anxiety

Finally a range of individual factors may also be prevalent for young people: personal mental health and emotional issues, alcohol and drug misuse, abusive behaviours, isolation from friends and family, poor relationships or self-harming.

cliff, child suicide, children, suicide, youth depression, sad girl, anxiety

There are also some specific groups of young people who may be at particular risk: those who are regularly intoxicated (through drugs and/or alcohol), looked-after children, males(who are statistically less likely to seek help or support), those with existing mental health issues, those who have already attempted suicide, those who know someone who has attempted or completed suicide, young offenders and those who have lost their jobs as well as those who are geographically isolated or homeless.

Delegates attending a 2-day Youth Mental Health First Aid Course, with Head First Ltd, will look closely at the suicide continuum and consider the signs and symptoms, risk factors, warning signs and recommended Mental Health First Aid approaches. In addition, the course manual (included for all delegates to take away after the course) contains many helpful resources, publications, organisations and self-help strategies to help a young person with suicidal feelings.