Why do kids kill themselves?

There's a wealth of data on adolescent suicide, and numerous programs and interventions designed to prevent it. But what about even younger children? In 2006, 56 children under the age of 12 committed suicide -- about one per week. And there's a staggering lack of research into suicide among kids this young. As a first step toward addressing that problem, a panel convened at APA's Annual Convention to share with audience members what's currently known, what still needs further research, and what can be done about it.

Christopher Button, PhD, explained that pre-adolescents lack the abstract thinking skills to fully allow them to appreciate the finality of death. Young children are also inherently impulsive and lack the cognitive skills necessary to think through their troubles and find solutions. Ninety percent of young children who commit suicide also have some kind of mental health disorder -- usually a mood disorder like major depression, he said. They're also likely to engage in antisocial behavior like shoplifting, fighting and starting fires. Additionally, experiencing physical or sexual abuse is a risk factor.

University of Iowa graduate student Kari Shaw mentioned that most pre-adolescent suicides involve hanging, with a minority involving firearms, asphyxiation and poison.

Unfortunately, many parents and teachers ignore warning signs because they just don't think kids understand suicide, let along would attempt it. "There's a high potential for adults to dismiss the possibility due to the perceived incongruity between children and suicide," Button said.

So what can be done to prevent these suicides? Another Iowa grad student, Christine Skow, said teachers and parents can foster early coping skills in children, especially those who have histories of abuse or have especially stressful lives. Also, media producers can be made aware of the effect TV shows and movies have on kids' perception of suicide, she said, as media is the primary way children learn about suicide.

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