Overview

• Columbia University epidemiologist Christina Hoven reported increases in suicide attempts and deaths among children ages 5–10 in countries with robust data collection.
• Adolescents ages 15–19 carry the highest global burden, with Mongolia’s reported suicide mortality risk for that group at 26.2.
• Hoven stressed that prevention must involve coordinated efforts across sectors and be tailored to national contexts rather than replicated from other countries.
• Commonly cited figures such as one suicide for every 20 attempts were described as uncertain and not firmly supported by available evidence.
• Risk factors highlighted included violence, neglect, war and child labor, alongside calls to teach children where to seek help and to train professionals and families to spot warning signs.