Child deaths - suicide intent

The reasons why children and young people take their own lives are complex. Each death is unique and is influenced by a series of physical, psychological and environmental conditions and associated risk factors.  There is evidence, however, that many young people provide an indication of their intent, prior to their suicide – usually to a significant person in their lives.

Child Deaths - Suicide intent is a paper from The Commission for Children and Young People, and it focuses on understanding suicidal intent: how it is communicated and to whom, what it can mean for young people at risk of suicide, and that any threat of suicide needs to be taken seriously.

The Commission’s review of the circumstances of deaths suggests that a number of children and young people had been communicating their suicidal intent in the weeks, months or years prior to their suicides. Some children were as young as 9 years of age when they first indicated they were suicidal.