P-265 - Suicide attempt and suicidal ideation - different age, different diagnosis

Abstract

The study of suicidal behavior among minors has to date focused on the age group in which it is more prevalent: adolescents. We hypothesized that suicidal behavior in children stems from a different diagnosis than suicidal behavior in adolescents and thus merits its own investigation. We studied all minors who were referred to a psychiatric emergency department (ED) due to a suicide attempt or suicidal ideation (266 referrals) over a three year period. There was an age- related difference in diagnostic distribution among minors who were referred to the ED due to suicidal behavior (χ 2 (7) = 24.297, p < 0.01). Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) was more prevalent among children (under 12y old), whereas Mood disorders were more prevalent among adolescents (12–18y old). The findings of this study highlight the need for a separate approach to suicidal behavior in children as distinct from adolescents.