Sweden to Investigate All Child Suicides

Sweden has launched a new investigative unit tasked with examining all suicides among children under 18. The Public Health Agency of Sweden's initiative aims to understand the underlying causes of these tragedies and identify any societal shortcomings.

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We will find out why these individuals took their own lives – as far as possible. But we are also humble that we may not always find answers.

"We will find out why these individuals took their own lives – as far as possible. But we are also humble that we may not always find answers," said Lennie Lindberg, head of the unit. The agency received the mandate from the government following a parliamentary decision on a new law concerning suicide investigations, which took effect on July 2.

The unit hopes to uncover factors that may indicate where society has failed when a young person dies by suicide. "It will be like putting together a puzzle. Every suicide is one too many," Lindberg explained. "Hopefully, our work will contribute to answering questions that have not been answered before and, in the long run, mean that we may understand even better and prevent even more suicides among children."

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It will be like putting together a puzzle. Every suicide is one too many. Hopefully, our work will contribute to answering questions that have not been answered before and, in the long run, mean that we may understand even better and prevent even more suicides among children.

Approximately 20 children die by suicide annually in Sweden, a figure that has remained relatively stable over the past decade. However, Lindberg cautioned that trends should be interpreted carefully due to the small absolute numbers in this age group. The new mandate also applies retroactively to suicides occurring from January 1, 2026. Investigations will be triggered by a signal from the National Board of Forensic Medicine regarding a death or suspected suicide.

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The trends should be interpreted with caution, especially among children and young people, because the absolute number of suicides is so small in this particular age group.

Information will be gathered from public entities like healthcare, social services, police, and schools. The analysis of this information aims to identify patterns, risk factors, and preventive measures. "The investigations will help us see if, for example, there have been shortcomings in the collaboration between different actors in society," Lindberg noted. The process can be lengthy, as children may have moved multiple times or had numerous contacts with various services. The unit will also offer support to relatives, with staff trained to assist those in difficult life situations.

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The investigations will help us see if, for example, there have been shortcomings in the collaboration between different actors in society.