Suicide attempts in children and adolescents constitute an important problem in society today. Suicidal behaviour does not depend on one direct cause, but on many complex factors at individual, family, social, life situation and self-defence levels. While suicide attempts in children are relatively rare, statistics among young people tend to increase throughout adolescence. In 2018, the group of persons undertaking suicidal behaviors at the age of 7-18 in Poland reached 6.9%, including 1.9% resulting in death. Accurate identification of suicide determinants among people at developmental age is a key factor determining the conduct of targeted and effective preventive measures, as well as the improvement of early diagnosis and implementation of appropriate therapeutic measures.

Key words: child suicide, juvenile suicide, depression.