Unanswered questions about childhood suicidal behavior: perspectives for the practicing physician.

This paper presents a review of the current literature and the author's personal experience with suicidal children ages 6 to 12 years. Although completed suicide among children is rare, suicidal threats and attempts are common. Factors contributing to suicidal risk include environmental stress within the family and such intrapsychic factors as depression, hopelessness, worthlessness, and preoccupation with death. Depression and suicidal behavior of parents is a specific factor correlating with high risk for childhood suicidal behavior. Interviewing techniques, assessment and early recognition of high-risk children, efficacy of treatment modalities, methods of educating the community and improving statistical data collection are suggested as a focus for study of the suicidal child. Systematic and sophisticated investigations are needed to improve knowledge, preventive techniques, and intervention methods of childhood suicidal behavior.