Long-term Characteristics of Children and Adolescents with Suicidal Behavior
Adolescent’s suicidal behavior is a key public health issue, even in Greece, which shows low rates of suicides, even though nowadays Greece is undergoing rapid socio-economic transformation. This paper examines the factors that are related to suicidal behavior among Greek children and adolescents, users of a Community Mental Health Center over an 18 year period and compares these factors between two time periods. The collected data concern all cases (45) of suicide attempt, which were reported during 1991-2009. The rates of suicidal behavior in the last time period quadrupled when compared to the earlier one. A statistically significant difference was found in socio-economic status, with participants in the upper socioeconomic level showing higher frequencies in the 90’s. In both time periods, boys were more likely to show suicidal ideation and girls suicidal attempts. The mean age of participants who experienced suicidal ideation was less than that of those who attempted. Adolescents with psychotic disorder presented prior suicidal behavior more frequently than expected, while participants with previous suicidal behavior showed more compliance to treatment. Socio-economic changes in Greece may influence the children’s and adolescents’ suicidal behavior. Implementation of preventive and rehabilitation programs, in particular for the lower socio-economic groups and for psychotic adolescents, is needed.
Children, Adolescents, Suicide, Suicidal Behavior, Community, Greece
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