Suicide: + 75% attempts are registered in young people

The suicide is the second leading cause of death in young between 15 and 25 years old, according to the data registered by the Children’s Hospital Bambin Gesù The hospital has activated a service aimed atassistance and the prevention of suicide in the developmental age. A telephone line that is always available for urgent psychological consultations.

Numerous scientific studies document that the incidence of suicide and the prevalence of suicidal behavior have increased, both in some European countries and in the US, especially among adolescents. This growth appears to be related to a general trend towards an increase in developing-age mood disorders in high-income countries. The correlation between major depression and suicide attempts between young and very young people is confirmed by recent studies. The impact of the COVID pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents has also been documented: internationally, by 2021, the prevalence of cases of depression and anxiety disorders has doubled. Early identification with accurate diagnosis and treatment of depression are primary preventive interventions to reduce the risk of suicide in young people.

Professor Stefano Vicari, Head of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry of the Child Jesus

At Bambin Gesù, the number of neuropsychiatric consultations has increased 11 times. Almost 40 times the urgent advice by suicide in young people between 9 and 17 years old. In 2018-19 accesses to emergency rooms for suicide were 464, in 2020-2021 they reached 752. An increase of more than 60%. For contrived suicide or attempted suicide, the increase is more than 75%.

In the past two years, the number of suicidal thoughts counts 477, suicide attempts 172. Then 103 self-harming behavior. It is girls and girls who implement it for more than 80%. The average age of those who commit suicide is 15, the youngest is 9. The pandemic is also registering a number hospital admissions in Neuropsychiatry from 338 in 2019 to 492 in 2021. In addition, the Infant Jesus has a clinical path of high aid for self-harm and the prevention of suicide in the developmental age.