Children suicide has significantly increased over the past decade. As Healthcare providers, we ought to advocate for our patient's safety and improve quality of life.

1. Childhood and Teenage Suicide
Kadysha Darlington– 00062013
Keisha Hall- 00065000
Franker Thomas- 00035473
Tsahai Gittens- 00065743

2. Suicide affects all
ages, gender and
race…
However, according to WHO, it is the
second leading cause of mortality among
females and the third leading cause among
males aged 10–24 years. Globally, The
mean suicide rate of 7.4/100,000 (10.5 for
males and 4.1 for females) may be
perceived as a reasonable estimate for the
15-19 age group and used as a basis for
evaluating suicide rates among
adolescents in different local communities.

3. Common Contributing Factors to Suicide
School Stress Bullying/Cyberbullying Family
Issues

4. School Stress
School stress and the constant striving for
perfection can lead to suicide. It can be stressful
–no matter the grade, there are expectations to
succeed, the need to socialize to get along, the
presence of bullies, and a lot of work to be done.
Although, not all students find the classroom
such an ordeal, however in today's landscape of
high-stakes testing and frantic college
admissions, experts are concerned that school
stress takes a toll on numerous students.

5. The Global School- Based
Student Health Survey
In 2007, the Ministry of Health and
the Ministry of Education conducted
an investigation called the Global
School-Based Student Health Survey
in thirty-two (32) schools across
Trinidad and Tobago. The survey
was based on data collection of
mental health issues and violence
and unintentional injury among
students, by sex.
Table 10: Violence and unintentional injury among students, by sex, Trinidad and Tobago, 2007.
*95% confidence interval.

6. Bullying &
Cyberbullying
Bullying is repeated
aggressive behaviour that
is intentional and involves
an imbalance of power or
strength.
• Face to face
• Can find a safer space
or escape from the
bullying environment
temporarily
• Limited onlookers
• Bully can be easily
identified
• Facial and body
reactions of target, bully
and onlookers are
visible
Cyberbullying is willful
and repeated harassment
with intimidation of a
person through the use of
digital technologies.
• 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, 365 a year
• No safe space, it is hard
to escape
• Shared by a wide
audiences –can go viral
in a matter of seconds
• Bullies can be
anonymous
• Harder to empathize
with target
• No geographical
limitations
• The target can easily
Bullying vs Cyberbullying

7. Family Issues
Family interaction plays a vital role in the growth and
development of children and adolescent. Issues within the
family add a great deal of confusion to an already confusing
time as they transition from childhood to adolescents or
adolescents to adulthood. Coping with divorce, domestic
violence, loss of family member, abuse whether sexual or
physical tends to cause increasing thoughts of suicide among
children.
Problem child in Family
Divorce in Family
Violence in Family
Alcohol and Substance abuse in
Family

8. Common Signs of Suicide & Suicidal
Thoughts

9. Preventative Measures
• Urge your child/teenager not to
demand too much of himself or
herself
• Remind your teen who is
undergoing treatment not to expect
immediate results.
• If you keep weapons such as guns,
blades at home, store them safely or
move all weapons elsewhere until
the crisis has passed.
Here are some can ways parents
prevent suicide or suicidal thoughts:
• Do not let your child’s depression or
anxiety crumbled before it is too late
• Listen—even when your child or
teenager is not talking
• Never shrug off threats of suicide as
typical childhood/teenage
melodrama
• Seek professional help right away
• Share your feelings with them
• Encourage your teen or child not
isolate himself or herself from
family and friends

10. Help Centres in
Trinidad &
Tobago
In Trinidad and Tobago, children, adolescents and young
adults are suffering from suicidal thoughts, depression or
other issues can find help through services offered by the
Ministry of Social Development and Family Services. The
authority advised on parents and guardians to call any one of
the numbers below for further professional assistance.
• Suicide Help Resources Lifeline; (868) 645-2800
• Mental Health Unit (Information Centre); (868) 285-9126 EXT 2577, 2571,
2573
• Mental Health Unit (NCRHA/EWMSC); (868) 652-3581 EXT 3221
• Emergency Care Resources; (868) 624-1151
• Children’s Authority; 800-2014 or 996
Other Recognized Help Centres

11. References
The contributors of World Health Organization. (n.d.). Adolescent suicidal behaviours in 32 low- and middle-income countries. In World Health Organization online. Retrieved
from https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/94/5/15-163295/en/
Healthy children . Org. (n.d.). 10 Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Suicide. In American Academy of Pediatrics online. Retrieved from
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Ten-Things-Parents-Can-Do-to-Prevent-Suicide.aspx
Agbai, M. (2020). Cyberbullying: What is it and how to stop it. Unicef.org. Retrieved 13 October 2020, from https://www.unicef.org/end-violence/how-to-stop-cyberbullying.
Beckles, M. (2007). GLOBAL SCHOOL-BASED STUDENT HEALTH SURVEY. Who.int. Retrieved 13 October 2020, from
https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2007_GSHS_Trinidad_and_Tobago_Report.pdf.
Children's body saddened after teen allegedly dies by suicide. Looptt.com. (2020). Retrieved 13 October 2020, from https://www.looptt.com/content/childrens-body-saddened-
after-teen-allegedly-dies-suicide.
Felmine, K. (2018). Children cutting selves to deflect negatives. Guardian.co.tt. Retrieved 8 October 2020, from https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/children-cutting-selves-to-
deflect-negatives-6.2.688173.226588e68e.
Hurley, K. (2020, September 29). Children and Suicide: What are The Warning Signs? Retrieved October 10, 2020, from https://www.psycom.net/children-and-suicide
Kam, K. (2020). Coping with School Stress. WebMD. Retrieved 13 October 2020, from https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/coping-school-stress#1.
Matroo, C. (2019). Garcia: Parents cause SEA stress - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 13 October 2020, from
https://newsday.co.tt/2019/07/02/garcia-parents-cause-sea-stress/.
Roh, B., Jung, E., & Hong, H. (2018). A Comparative Study of Suicide Rates among 10-19-Year-Olds in 29 OECD Countries. Retrieved 8 October 2020, from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5912485/#:~:text=This%20is%20reflected%20in%20a,and%2019%20years%20%5B20%5D.
Suicide Prevention Tips. Health.gov.tt. (2016). Retrieved 10 October 2020, from http://www.health.gov.tt/news/newsitem.aspx?id=690.
Suicide in Children and Teens. Aacap.org. (2018). Retrieved 13 October 2020, from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Teen-
Suicide-010.aspx.