Understanding and treating suicidal risk in young children.

This article reviews the existing literature on prevalence rates and risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children under the age of 12. This review is followed by a discussion of important considerations for assessment and treatment and an overview of 1 potential treatment option (the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) and its use in 3 case study examples. Although completed suicides are rare in this population, they do occur. Furthermore, a significant number of children in both clinical and community samples experience suicidal ideation and verbalize thoughts of suicide and death. Risk factors include symptoms of psychopathology (e.g., depression, ADHD, aggression), feelings of worthlessness, parental psychopathology, family conflict, and a history of abuse. There are no evidence-based treatments for suicidality in children under 12; however, there are guidelines for developmentally appropriate assessment. Researchers and clinicians are encouraged to turn their attention and efforts to developing evidence-based treatments for suicidal children.