Year: 1985 Source: Journal of Adolescence, v.8, no.3, (September 1985), p.263-269 SIEC No: 19860670

This article delineates the interpersonal function of suicidal behaviour in children. Children’s suicidal attempts can be perceived as a mode of controlling the family or school. In order to highlight this approach, a case of epidemic suicidal attempts in a special education high school is presented. A systemic mode of intervention, consisting of an adolescents’ group & a teachers’ group within the school system, is described. The importance of implementing systemic modes is outlined.