The author discusses the etiology of suicidal behavior in children & adolescents, briefly examining suicide statistics, the suicide profile, cognitive processes & other factors that may predispose the child to self-destructive behavior. Differences observed between suicidal children & suicidal adolescents are examined. He recommends that health care professionals involved in treating patients of this age group carefully assess their patient with a view to determining suicidal risk. 22 ref. (NBB)