A Cross-National Analysis of Suicide Among Children Aged 5 to 9 Years

A Cross-National Analysis of Suicide Among Children Aged 5 to 9 Years, in JAMA Pediatrics

key takeaway: "In this multinational analysis, suicide deaths among children aged 5 to 9 years were rare but present in 30 countries. Male predominance was evident but appears smaller than reported in adolescents and young adults. Hanging, strangulation, or suffocation accounted for most deaths, followed by jumping from a height. These methods often involve access to commonly available features, suggesting that prevention efforts should include environmental safety and caregiver-focused strategies. Firearm suicides, though less common, occurred disproportionately in boys. Prevention frameworks should incorporate lethal means safety, including secure firearm storage and child firearm access policies. Marked cross-national variation and localized increases in suicide rates underscore the importance of structural and cultural contexts, highlighting the need for future work to identify modifiable, context-specific determinants."