Characteristics of suicide among children and adolescents in Budapest

BACKGROUND: In Europe, the suicide rate among children and adolescents is the highest in Hungary. In the young age group (10-14 and 15-19 years), the suicide mortality rate had not showed a decrease. METHODS: This study examined suicide cases committed by children and adolescents highlighted from the extraordinary death cases in Budapest between 1994 and 1998. The 72 suicide cases, which included 59 males and 13 females, were processed by sex, age, method and time of commitment, and distribution by districts. RESULTS: Leaping off high places or hanging was the highest frequency among the methods of commitment. Accurate data about the frequency, type, time and location of death cases are indispensable to decrease the number of children's and adolescents' suicides. CONCLUSIONS: Studies of epidemiology and risk factors may provide a basis of development of a specific suicide prevention programme including educational, health and welfare elements.