Suicide in children - Alice

Abstract

Alice Newton-Leeming

Although lesser heard of, and worldwide, very few statistics collect data on child suicide, children do and are dying by suicide. Children as young as 4 years of age. Although a child may not understand the word “suicide” or even that of the finality of death, it is more than possible for them to “not want to be here anymore”, and by ‘here’ they mean, to go on living. The way a child communicates this can often be misinterpreted and incorrectly labelled, and the child often receives punishment for their actions, rather than a supportive conversation about the feelings behind their behavior. But why are children this young, contemplating suicide? I propose to provide an insight into what steps should be taken to build resilient children with good mental health from their very birth.