Myth: Young Children Don’t Die by Suicide
Young children are dying at increasingly higher rates from suicide.
Fact: The Rate of Suicide in Children Isn’t Zero
We believe that children lack the capacity to consider suicide, but children are dying by suicide. Arguments vary about the degree to which particularly young children’s activities can be called “suicide” because of a failure to understand what they’re attempting – but that doesn’t prevent the attempt or the death.
Learn More
See Suicide Statistics are Accurate for more about ways that the recording of suicide death in children may be under reported.
Evidence
Children are dying by suicide, and many more are attempting suicide.
In Support of the Myth
None identified.
To Refute the Myth
"Pediatric suicide by violent means: a cry for help and a call for action" (2022)
Pediatric suicide attempts are rare but lethal.
There is an increasing frequency of suicide attempts in children and adolescents.
Unclear or Mixed Support
None identified.
Learn more about suicide myths – and the truths behind them – by following the links below.