Suicide attempts and self-harm ‘by 5 year olds’

CHILDREN as young as five have been treated for suicide attempts and self-harm, according to a leading child and adolescent psychiatrist.

Professor Carol Fitzpatrick, a specialist in child psychiatry, said children as young as five and six have presented to Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, because of self-harm or suicide attempts.

She said that as adolescence approaches, the problem becomes more common.