Youth at risk: Exploring causes and methods of child suicide through national data in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: Child suicide is a growing social phenomenon that affects countries worldwide, including many in Asia. According to global data from 2019, a total of 18,327 child suicide deaths were reported, with 4,988 among boys and 3,338 among girls. The overall mortality rate was 1.30 per 100,000. Notably high child suicide rates were recorded in countries such as Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Greenland, and Ecuador, while the lowest rates were observed in South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and the Bahamas. This phenomenon is not only a social concern but is also widely recognized as a critical mental health issue. Method: This study was based on secondary data analysis using for from the Sri Lanka Police Department for the year 2022. The focus was on children and adolescents aged 8 to 20 years. Suicide cases were categorized into two age groups: 17-20 years (N=210) and 8-16 years (N=85) For data analysis, frequency analysis was done by using SPSS. Results: As the finding of the study, significant gender disparity in child suicide, with boys accounting for 2,832 cases (83.13%) and girls 574 cases (16.87%), out of a total of 3,406 cases. The main reason was romantic relationships among the young community, reported in 319 cases (9.36%), including 223 boys and 96 girls. Drug addiction was linked with 275 cases (8.07%), comprising 268 boys and 7 girls. Mental health disorders were linked to 410 cases (12.03%), with 311 boys and 99 girls affected. In terms of employment status, 312 children (9.15%) were engaged in informal work, 1,108 (32.54%) were unemployed, and 450 (13.21%) were school pupils (including 98 boys, 61 girls, and 291 students from additional data). According to the methods of suicide, hanging was the most frequently used method, accounting for 163 cases (4.79%). Conclusion: The study highlights that child suicide in Sri Lanka is both a serious social and mental health challenge. Young males are particularly vulnerable, with hanging being the most common method of suicide. Contributing factors include romantic relationship issues, substance abuse, and mental illness. Most affected individuals are school children or unemployed youth. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions, school-based awareness programs, and strengthened communication between parents, educators, and communities to prevent youth self-harm.