Researchers studied the reports from a range of investigations and inquiries on 130 people under the age of 20 in England who died by suicide between January 2014 and April 2015, extracting information about their personal circumstances that the reports highlighted. This is the first time there has been a national study of suicide in children and young people in England on this scale.
The researchers found that 28% of the young people who died had been bereaved, in 13% there had been a suicide by a family member or friend. 36% had a physical health condition such as acne or asthma, and 29% were facing exams or exam results when they died. Four died on the day of an exam, or the day after.
Professor Louis Appleby, Director of NCISH said: "Suicide is a leading cause of death in young people and the impact on families is particularly traumatic. We found the risk rose sharply from mid- to late teens and the reasons appear to be complex.