Suicide Resource Center

Updated February 2022

About

Suicide is a serious and growing problem among children and adolescents. Each year, thousands of young people commit suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10-to-14 year-olds. 

The majority of children and adolescents who attempt suicide have a significant mental health disorder, usually depression.

Among younger children, suicide attempts are often impulsive. They may be associated with feelings of sadness, confusion and anger.

Among teenagers, suicide attempts may be associated with feelings of stress, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, disappointment and loss. For some teens, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems.

Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. The child or adolescent needs to have his or her illness recognized and diagnosed, and appropriate treatment plans developed.

Parents, teachers and friends should always err on the side of caution and safety. Any child or adolescent with suicidal thoughts or plans should be evaluated immediately by a trained and qualified mental health professional.

Choose a topic:

FAQs

• How common is suicide in children and adolescents?
• What causes suicide in children and adolescents?
• What are the warning signs associated with child and adolescent suicide?
• What should I do if my child or adolescent talks about suicide?

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Related Facts for Families

• Suicide in Children and Teens
• Self-Injury in Adolescents
• Depression in Children and Teens
• Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
• Threats by Children: When are they Serious?
• Stress Management and Teens
• Teen Brain: Behavior, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
• When to Seek Help For Your Child
• Firearms and Children
• Bullying

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Video Clips

• http://www.thesecondwindfund.org/videos-media

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Clinical Resources

• Clinical Essentials on Suicide in Children and Adolescents
• Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
• Linehan Risk Assessment and management tool
• Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Suicidal Behavior David Shaffer, M.D.
• Practice Parameter on the Use of Psychotropic Medication in Children and Adolescents John Walkup, M.D.
• Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Depressive Disorders Boris Birmaher, M.D.
• Practice Parameter for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders
• Toolbox for Clinical Practice and Outcomes Research
• 13 Reasons Why Toolkit - Guidance For Clinicians

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Research & Training

• Preventing Youth Suicide: Time to Ask How David A. Brent, M.D.
• Suicide Attempt Characteristics, Diagnoses, and Future Attempts: Comparing Multiple Attempters to Single Attempters and Ideators Regina Miranda, Ph.D.
• Helping Kids in Crisis: Managing Psychiatric Emergencies in Children and Adolescents Deepika Shaligram, M.D.
• Protecting Adolescents From Self-Harm: A Critical Review of Intervention Studies David A. Brent, M.D.
• Family Intervention for Adolescents With Suicidal Behavior: A Randomized Controlled Trial and Mediation Analysis Jane Pineda, Ph.D.
• Validity of Measurement of Suicidal Ideas in Very Young Children Michael S. Scheeringa, M.D., MPH

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Books

• Robbie's Hope Adult Handbook - A Guide By Teens On How To Talk To Teens About Suicide
• Eight Stories Up: An Adolescent Chooses Hope Over Suicide
• Helping Kids in Crisis: Managing Psychiatric Emergencies in Children and Adolescents by Gerson and Haddad
• Suicide and Self-harming Behaviour
• Your Adolescent: Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Development from Early Adolescence Through the Teen Years David Pruitt, M.D. and AACAP
• Recovering from Depression: A Workbook for Teens, Mary Copeland, M.A., M.S. and Stuart Copans, M.D.

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Getting Help

• Click here to find a child and adolescent psychiatrist in your area.
• Crisis Text Line
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1.800.273.8255

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Related Websites

• Robbie's Hope - A Guide By Teens On How To Talk To Teens About Suicide
• “Reasons” To Keep The Conversations Going
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Suicide Prevention (APA)
• Teen Suicide: What Parents Need to Know (Mayo Clinic)
• Help Stop Teen Suicide (healthychildren.org)
• Suicide: A Major, Preventable Mental Health Problem (NIMH)
• The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds
• The JED Foundation
• The Jason Foundation
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• AACAP Policy Statement: Children and Guns
• Alliance of Hope & Friends and Families
• Parents Med Guides
• 13 Reasons Why Toolkit - Guidance For Clinicians

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