Year: 2008 Source: Burnaby, BC: Office of the Chief Coroner, (2008). 134p. SIEC No: 20080706

This report summarises findings arising from the 395 child deaths that were referred to & reviewed by the BC Child Death Review Unit in 2007. Of these deaths, 215 were sudden-unexpected deaths investigated by the coroner. There were 18 suicides – 11 males & 7 females. The majority of suicides were by youth, age 17 or 18 years. Three of the suicides were Aboriginal youth. 44% of the suicides occurred in the child’s home. Six suicides occurred between midnight & 8:00 a.m. Seven children had experienced an acute & stressful event in the 24 hours prior to their death. Modifiable risk factors, protective factors, preventability, & future directions in research are also discussed.