A 10-year-old girl with a suicide attempt: Are our social services failing?

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide attempts are rare under 12 years. Family conflict and lack of parental monitoring predict suicidal thoughts and acts in this age group. Data on young children with suicide attempts in Sri Lanka are scarce. This case highlights the role of psychosocial factors in suicide attempts. Case report: A 10-year-old girl from a socioeconomically disadvantaged suburb was brought to the hospital following a hanging attempt. She needed intensive care for one week. She was unhappy with her mother for bringing a cheap alternative for breakfast and after her mother left for work, leaving her with her father and two younger siblings, she hanged herself.