Abstract
Although child mortality is decreasing in Sweden, an increase in suicide rates has been previously observed among children and adolescents collectively. To increase knowledge about trends, demographics, and means in child suicides, data including all child (< 18 years) suicides in Sweden in 2000 through 2018 were retrieved from the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine. In all, a total of 416 child suicides were found in a 19-year period, accounting for an annual suicide rate of 1.1/100,000 child population. The number of suicides increased with 2.2% by each successive year during the study period (p < 0.001). The mean age in both sexes was 16 years; boys accounted for 55% and girls for 45% of all study cases. The majority of the children who died by suicide (96%) were teenagers (13–17 years old) and suicides in children younger than 10 years were uncommon. Suicide methods were 59% hanging, 20% lying/jumping in front of a moving object, 8% jumping from a height, 7% firearm injury, 4% poisoning, and 2% other methods. Sex differences were significant (p < 0.001) only for firearms being preferably used by boys. The vast majority of firearms used were licensed long-barreled weapons.Conclusion: The number of child suicides in Sweden is relatively low but increasing. Most of the children used a violent and highly lethal method. Prevention of premature mortality is an urgent concern with an emphasis on resolutely reducing the availability of suicide means.What is Known:• Suicide is a significant cause of death globally among children, bringing tragic consequences for young individuals, their family, and the entire society.• Suicide rates and distribution of suicide methods in children differ between countries and settings, but studies of time trends are scarce.What is New:• Increasing number of minors’ suicides and the predominance of violent methods emphasize the importance of prevention strategies tailored for a child population.• Even in a setting of very restrictive firearm laws, firearm suicides in children must not be overlooked.
Highlights
Suicides represent a significant health problem as the leading cause of death among 10–19-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries and the second leading1 3 Vol.:(0123456789)European Journal of Pediatrics cause of death in high-income countries in the European Region [1]
Mental health issues in Swedish children and youths have increased in recent decades [4], as have suicide attempts and suicides among 15–24 year-olds [5]
416 child suicides were found in the period from 2000 through 2018
Summary
Suicides represent a significant health problem as the leading cause of death among 10–19-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries and the second leading1 3 Vol.:(0123456789)European Journal of Pediatrics cause of death in high-income countries in the European Region [1]. Suicides represent a significant health problem as the leading cause of death among 10–19-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries and the second leading. In the 5-year period (2014–2018), the suicide rate among 15–19-year-olds in Sweden (6.9 per 100,000 people aged 15–19 years) was higher than in Denmark (3.7) and Germany (4.7), but lower than in Finland (8.6) [3]. Mental health issues in Swedish children and youths have increased in recent decades [4], as have suicide attempts and suicides among 15–24 year-olds [5]. The Public Health Agency of Sweden reported psychosomatic disorders, performance anxiety related to school, and differences in the socioeconomic background as factors contributing to increasing mental health problems in youth [4]
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