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Mental Health Problems/Diagnoses > Children and Adolescents
Suicide in Children/Adolescents
How Many Children/Adolescents Commit Suicide?
Suicide in childhood and adolescence is not uncommon. In fact, suicide is the third
leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-
to 14-year-olds.
What Are Some Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior?
- Threats of suicide, particularly if the child/adolescent has a plan
- Verbal statements indicating a wish to die
- Suicidal actions, such as superficially cutting parts of the body or taking a
non-lethal overdose of medication
- Sudden cheerfulness after a period of depression
- Putting affairs in order or giving/throwing away favorite possessions
Who is at Increased Risk?
Children/Adolescents who:
- Are depressed
- Are withdrawn or non-communicative
- Might view suicide as a way to control an uncontrollable situation
- Suffer from auditory command hallucinations
- Are impulsive
- Have the means to follow through with a suicide plan
- Have made suicide attempts in the past
- Have a friend/relative who recently committed suicide
What Can be Done to Help?
- Be caring, helpful and supportive.
- Talk about it. Ask the child/adolescent about his/her suicidal thoughts. This
will not encourage him/her to become suicidal.
- Seek professional help from those experienced in handling suicidal children
and adolescents. Encourage the child/adolescent to seek out the mental health
professionals in his/her school or assist the child/adolescent in locating a
mental health professional either through a clinic or privately. (Read
How to Find a Therapist.)
- Important adults in the child/adolescent's life need to be alerted to the
situation in order to protect the child (e.g., family, key school personnel)
If there is an immediate danger that a child/adolescent may harm him/herself, get
help now! Dial 911 and then alert the parents. Confidences may need to be broken
in order to save a life.
The Suicide/Crisis Hotline can be reached at 914-347-6400. This hotline, staffed by
persons in Westchester County, is operated jointly by MHA of Westchester, New York
Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital, and is for individuals who are feeling at risk of
harming themselves.
Additional Information About Suicide
Mental Health Association of Westchester County
http://www.mhawestchester.org/mhaeducation/suicide120806.asp
This page provides suicide prevention awareness and educational materials.
Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/safeusa/suicide.htm
This easy-to-read site provides information and statistics on suicide in the United States
as well as lots of resources.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
http://www.dbsalliance.org
This website provides information on the biological causes for depression and coexisting
suicidal feelings as well as therapy techniques to combat depression.
American Association of Suicidology
http://www.suicidology.org
This website provides information on current research and prevention as well as a list of
crisis centers.
Films about suicide and other topics may be borrowed for viewing. To obtain a full list of
available films please check our Film Library.
We maintain a Speakers Bureau available to present on a wide range of topics, including suicide,
at community events. Our presentations provide information about the concerns of daily life as
well as about mental health and mental illness and, when needed, how to find appropriate
assistance.
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