In most of the countries suicide is one of the ten leading causes of death and for young people it is the second most common
cause. But in children suicide is rare and associated with severe personal and social problems. A useful definition of suicidal
behavior in children developed by Pfeiffer is “Any self-destructive behavior that has intent to seriously damage oneself or
cause death (1986)”. The thought of a child dying by suicide challenges the ideals we hold about how our children grow
and develop at their own home and society. It also raises considerations about children’s understandings of death and their
capacity to have the intent to suicide. The relationship between psychiatric disorders and adolescent suicide is now well
established. Mood disorders, substance abuse, conduct disorder and prior suicide attempts are strongly related with youth
and child suicides. Factors related to family adversity, style of parenting and child rearing, recent socio-cultural transition
and other precipitating problems also contribute to the risk of suicide. The main target of effective prevention of child and
youth suicide is to reduce suicide risk factors. Recognition and effective treatment of psychiatric disorders, e.g. depression,
conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorders are essential in preventing child and adolescent suicides. In the treatment
of youth depression, psychosocial treatments have proved to be useful and efficacious. Here we have described about the
case of a 08 year old boy, presenting with restlessness, impulsiveness, multiple threats and one episode of attempted suicide
following refusal to watch TV by parents.
Socio-demographic characteristics of persons with psychiatric disorders who committed suicide
