A child silhouetted against a vast landscape, symbolizing the challenges faced by young Tunisians.

Silent Struggles: Understanding Suicide in Tunisian Children and Teens

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A closer look at the factors contributing to child and adolescent suicide in Tunisia, and what can be done to help."

Suicide is a global tragedy, especially heartbreaking when it involves children and teenagers. While often considered rare, suicide in young people is a growing concern worldwide. In Tunisia, understanding the specific factors contributing to these deaths is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

A recent study examined the characteristics of child and adolescent suicides in Kairouan, Tunisia, between 2009 and 2015. By analyzing autopsy records, researchers identified key trends related to age, gender, location, and methods used. This data offers valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by young Tunisians.

This article delves into the study's findings, exploring the risk factors associated with suicide in Tunisian children and adolescents. It also highlights the need for urgent preventive measures to protect these vulnerable members of society.

Who is at Risk? Key Findings from the Tunisian Study

A child silhouetted against a vast landscape, symbolizing the challenges faced by young Tunisians.

The study analyzed 49 suicide cases of individuals under 18 years old, revealing a concerning female predominance (61.2%). The average age of the victims was 15.4 years, with the majority residing in rural areas (93.1%).

The researchers found that most suicides occurred in the victim's home or its surrounding area (73.4%), indicating the importance of the home environment in understanding suicide risk.

Family Problems: A staggering 55.1% of cases were linked to family problems, such as conflicts or strict discipline at home.
School Issues: Academic pressures, bullying, and poor living conditions in dormitories contributed to 12.2% of suicides.
Relationship Breakups: Recent relationship breakups were a factor in 8.2% of cases.

The most common method of suicide was hanging (69.38%), followed by self-immolation for males and poisoning (primarily with pesticides) for females. The study also revealed that the suicide rate increased after the Tunisian Revolution, which brought about significant social and economic changes.

What Can Be Done? Towards Prevention and Support

The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies to address child and adolescent suicide in Tunisia. These strategies should focus on:

<ul><li>Strengthening Family Support: Addressing family problems through counseling and support services can create a more stable and nurturing environment for young people.</li><li>Creating Safe Schools: Implementing anti-bullying programs and providing mental health resources in schools can help students cope with academic and social pressures.</li><li>Restricting Access to Methods: Limiting access to pesticides and firearms can reduce the risk of impulsive suicide attempts.</li></ul>

Furthermore, it is essential to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help. By creating a supportive and understanding community, we can empower young people to overcome their challenges and choose life.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s12024-017-9909-y, Alternate LINK

Title: Suicide In Children And Adolescents: A Tunisian Perspective From 2009 To 2015

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Wael Majdoub, Amal Mosbahi, Maroua Naouar, Meriem Beji, Jihene Mannai, Elyes Turki

Published: 2017-09-07

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key demographics and locations of the suicides that were analyzed?

The study analyzing suicide cases in Kairouan, Tunisia, between 2009 and 2015, found a concerning prevalence among young people under 18. The majority of cases were female (61.2%), with an average age of 15.4 years. Most of the suicides occurred in rural areas (93.1%), highlighting the vulnerability of young people in this region. The home environment played a significant role, as most suicides happened in the victim's home or its surrounding area (73.4%).

What are the main risk factors identified in the study?

Family problems were a leading risk factor, accounting for 55.1% of the suicide cases examined in Kairouan. These problems included conflicts and strict discipline at home, creating a stressful environment for children and adolescents. School issues also contributed, with 12.2% of suicides linked to academic pressures, bullying, and poor living conditions in dormitories. Relationship breakups were a factor in 8.2% of the cases. These issues, when combined, can create an overwhelming sense of hopelessness that may lead to suicide.

What methods of suicide were most common among the victims?

Hanging was the most common method used, accounting for 69.38% of the suicides. Self-immolation was more prevalent among males, and poisoning (primarily with pesticides) was more common among females. These findings suggest that there may be different factors at play depending on the gender of the victim, and this must be accounted for in developing the prevention strategies.

Did anything else affect the rate of suicide?

The study revealed that the suicide rate increased after the Tunisian Revolution, suggesting that social and economic changes can have an impact on the mental health of young people. The aftermath of the revolution brought about various shifts within the country. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing the proper prevention strategies. This increase in the rate points to the need for robust support systems and mental health services to help young people navigate periods of uncertainty and stress.

What steps can be taken to prevent suicide in Tunisian children and teens?

Preventive measures must address the identified risk factors, focusing on family support, school-based interventions, and mental health services. This includes providing resources for families facing conflicts, addressing bullying and academic pressures in schools, and offering accessible mental health support. It is essential to focus on a few areas, like family dynamics, school issues, and relationship issues. Early intervention and ongoing support are vital to protect the vulnerable youth in Tunisia.