A Study on Psycho-Social Factors Related to Children's Suicide

Background Over the last 45 years mortality due to suicide has increased in some developed and developing countries among both children and adults This study was undertaken to determine the cases suicide in 6-15 years old children Methods Between Jan 2005 and Jan 2008 data from 292 children (239 girls and 53 boys) aged 6-15 years who attempted suicide and were referred to the Loghman Hakim Medical Poison Centre affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran Iran were enrolled The Children Suicide Questionnaire (CSQ) was applied Results The percentage of girls who attempted suicide was 81 8% against 18 2% for boys Most of them were from 12 to 14 years old 43 8% of the children were in a poor socio-economic class 55 5% of the study period was between 6 00 pm and 12 00 pm 41% of the respondents reported cases of mental illness in their family 41 6% of the children had previously attempted suicide while 95% of suicide attempts took place at home and in 36 6% of suicides there was a family argument Depression (28%) and epilepsy (27 1%) were the most cited cases of personal problems using antiepileptic drugs (23%), benzodiazepine (23%), and antidepressants (20%) Conclusion This study suggests a collaboration between pediatricians psychiatrists and psychologists