Suicidal Behaviour in
Children & Adolescents
Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Suhaff
SKIMS MEDICAL COLLEGE
Introduction
The word suicide derives from a Latin word
sue (of oneself) & Cide or cidium (a killing).
Suicide is a serious public health problem.
Have long-lasting effects on Individuals,
Families, and Communities.
Nearly 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year.
Every 40 seconds a person dies by suicide somewhere on the globe.
India reported about 381 suicides daily for the year of 2019, marking an increase of nearly
3.4% suicide deaths as compared to 2018.
Over 24000 children in the age bracket of 14-18 years committed suicide from 2017-2019
[ a report by the National Crime Records Bureau said ].
Attitudes to Suicide
How does the word
‘Suicide’
Make you feel?
Do any of these attitudes apply to you?
People who die by It is mostly
suicide don’t give young men who
warning signs die by suicide
People who talk
about suicide are
People serious about just attention
suicide can’t be helpe seekers
d
so what is the point?
Talking about suicide might
give someone the idea to do
it
WHO IS AT RISK OF DYING BY
SUICIDE ?
ANYONE
RISK FACTORS
Depression Early parental
Schizophrenia loss
Addiction disorder Isolation
Family history Unemployment
& past history of Acute life events
suicidality Bullying
Dysregulated
serotonergic system
Older age
Male sex
Vulnerable
periods
Suicidal signs to watch for
Remember F-A-C-T-S,
Feelings: Expressing hopelessness about the future.
Actions: Displaying severe/overwhelming pain or distress.
Changes: Showing worrisome behaviors or marked changes in behavior,
including withdrawal from friends, changes in social activities, anger,
hostility, or changes in sleep patterns.
Threats: Talking or writing about death, or making plans for suicide.
Situations: Experiencing stressful situations including those that involve
loss, change, personal humiliation, or getting into trouble at home, in
school, or with the law. These types of situations can serve as triggers
for suicide
Verbal warning signs
“I can't go on anymore“
"I wish I was never born“
"I wish I were dead“
"I won't need this anymore“
"My parents won't have to worry about me anymore“
“Everyone would be better off if I was dead”
“Nobody cares if I live or die”
Key Gatekeepers
Primary health care providers
Mental health care providers
Emergency health care providers
counselors/Teachers and other school staff
Community leaders
Social welfare workers
Spiritual and religious leaders
PREVENTION of Suicide
Primary.
Secondary.
Tertiary.
Primary prevention
Improve the skills of team member in identifying high
risk clients and in planning for treatment and care.
Never allow high risk cases to be alone.
Identify the stressor , assess the family and the client.
Modify the environment.
Guidance for high risk cases.
Refer high risk cases for professional help.
Secondary prevention
Establishment of counselling centers.
Improve the ability and quality of Help.
Guidance and counselling centers for suicide
attempters.
Arrange supportive care for high risk groups.
Provide treatment
Tertiary prevention
Interaction with family and friends of person
who committed suicide.
Minimizing the residual effects of suicide
attempt.
Follow up and continuity of care as to be
planned.
Schools’ Role in Prevention
DETECTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
INTERVENTION
Ongoing Support
A Team Approach
Detection/Awareness
-All school personals.
Risk Assessment
-counsellor, school psychologist,
Parents
Referral and Follow up
School Counsellors
Screening of high risk students.
Promote healthy development of all students.
Provide responsive services(counselling and crisis intervention) including
grief and bereavement.
Inform parents/gaurdians or appropriate authorities.
Train other school staff to identify the high risk students.
Regular awareness programmes for students and staff to teach conflict
resolution, stress management, grief therapy.
Get involved if someone is suicidal
Role of Media
Report Responsibly.
Avoid romanticizing suicide, which can have a profound effect on at
risk teens.
Refrain from detailed descriptions of the method of death.
Do not portray suicide as an inexplicable act. Suicide has causes,
even if these causes are not immediately obvious.
Be aware of the implications of language about suicide.
Do not let the glamour of celebrity suicides obscure the reality of the
act. A celebrity’s suicide should be reported as a tragedy, not as a
model for others.
Legal Aspect
309 IPC –used to penalize attempted suicide with up to
one year of imprisonment or with fine , or with both.
Abetment of suicide is punishable under sec. 306 IPC.
As per Mental Health care Act, 2017 clause 115,
attempted suicide has been decriminalized, .
The relevant provision of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 states, "Notwithstanding anything contained
in section 309 of the Indian Penal Code any person who attempts to commit suicide shall be presumed,
unless proved otherwise, to have severe stress and shall not be tried and punished under the said
Code.“
Life is
Beautiful
Thank you
