Suicidal children and adolescents

Mental Health Nursing,  May/Jun 2002  by Williams, Robert

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Reviews & reports

Suicidal children and adolescents Kenny C (2001) Quay Books, Wiltshire ISBN 185642132 5 Pp 100

This book takes a look at a broad range of ideas and offers a well informed discussion of the current thinking around the subject of suicide, particularly focusing on the historical, cultural and ethical aspects. There has been much concern about rapidly rising suicide rates among young men in the United Kingdom and a suggested increase in para-suicide among young girls.

Chapter one includes a useful exploration of how children develop the concept of death and suicide including in the discussion ideas from social learning theory, cognitive development as described by Piaget and Erikson's theory of development throughout the lifespan. Kenny uses these ideas to illustrate how children experience despair, hopelessness and depression.

The book moves on to look more specifically at adolescents and early adulthood and examines the interaction between the developmental and societal issues that contribute towards suicidal behaviour. Themes such as sexuality, employment, identity and isolation are highlighted. Kenny explores how these issues contribute to mental health and moves on to wonder how society should respond to changing patterns in today's society.

In the last part of this book the author describes the impact the suicide of a child has on friends and relatives. This chapter includes extracts from a number of interviews conducted by the author with parents and children who have experienced a suicide. These often moving contributions illustrate the trauma experienced by what the author refers to as survivors of suicide, The chapter continues with a discussion of the support needed for the friends and relatives of completed suicides.

This is a short book, less than tOO pages. However, I found it a very accessible book that achieved its aim of examining the impact of suicide on both our society and on those more directly effected.

Robert Williams

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association May/Jun 2002
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