Présence précoce et continue d’idées suicidaires pendant l’enfance

Abstract

Clinical research base witness to the existence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among children during the period of latency; these highlights manifestations which are indicators of a risk of suicide in later life. The case of an eleven-year-old boy, examined immediately after a serious suicide attempt, reveals that the event was preceded by earlier suicidal ideas. Is a six-year-old child really likely to seriously plan suicide? Developmental psychologists state that the essence of the concept of death is not understood until a child is about ten. A second clinical case, a six-year-old girl, allows us to point out suicidal ideas clearly expressed and associated with the representation of efficient ways to commit suicide may coexist with an immature concept of death. It is concluded that suicidal ideation does not need the possession of a mature concept of death and that clinicians need to be aware of the reality and severity of suicidal ideas of children, even when they are very young. It is also emphasised that therapy with children with suicidal ideas is necessary for prevention.