Harrowing statistics have revealed suicide as the leading cause of death for 15–17 year-olds and second leading cause for 10–14-year olds.
The shocking statistic was revealed in the latest Queensland and family commission paper tabled in state parliament on Thursday.
The child death review board annual report for 2020-21 showed deaths by suicide among young people were rising, with 30 children taking their own lives, up from 21 in 2019 to 2020.
While natural causes accounted for 67 percent of deaths, other leading causes of deaths were from transport incidents, at 31 fatalities.
Other child deaths included sudden unexpected deaths in infants and drowning.
Over the past five years more than 130 young people have died from suicide, averaging a shocking 26 deaths per year.
Almost 400 children between the ages of 0-17 died in 2020-2021.
Child Death Review Board chair Cheryl Vardon told reporters last November that recent research found higher rates of suicide among children with mental health disorders and childhood trauma.
“Some concerning trends reported in research include more lethal means being used to complete suicide, particularly among girls, and children experiencing suicidal thoughts at younger ages, with primary school children reported to have thought about suicide,” she said.
“Sadly, many children known to Queensland’s child protection system are exposed to, or have experienced, one or many of the factors that can contribute to suicide, which increases their risk significantly.”
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