The suicidal pediatric patient: an emergency medicine focus

Suicide in children is an increasing concern to emergency physicians. Suicide is a leading cause of death and lost years of potential in children and adolescents. Children who are acutely suicidal often present to the emergency department for medical and psychiatric care and evaluation. This article will discuss the epidemiology of suicide in children and provide the emergency physician a framework in which to evaluate and manage children who are acutely suicidal.