Child and adolescent suicide in a large, urban area: Psychological, demographic, and situational factors

We examined all completed suicides by children and adolescents in Los Angel es County who died during 1996 and 1997. There were 46 subjects, aged 11 th rough 16. The majority of the decedents were males and over age 14. The pre dominant racial group was Hispanic. There was an almost even split between firearms and hanging as the means of death. Females had a statistically sig nificantly higher rate of prior suicide attempts than males. Over one-third left a suicide note, almost one-half were noted to be depressed, and 22% t ested positive for alcohol or illicit drugs. Less than one-quarter were in mental health treatment. Eighty-seven percent had difficulty transitioning to or during adolescence; e.g., problems at home, legal and school difficul ties, and relationship losses. These findings are discussed in terms of Eri ksonian developmental theory. We offer recommendations for intervention and prevention of suicide.