The proposed course targets a major international public health issue: the cause of death of about 100, 000 children and adolescents world-wide each year, suicide. It is the second leading cause of death in that age group in many European countries. There are over three million suicide attempts made by adolescents annually. Although genetic and family risk factors are highly associated with both suicide and with suicide attempts, the specific genetic alleles that transmit this vulnerability between generations have yet to be identified.

Some risk factors for teen suicide attempts and completion have been identified and will be discussed, including an Axis I psychiatric disorder (e.g. mood disorder), family discord, aggressive-impulsive traits and physical and sexual abuse. One key factor consistently associated with suicide and suicidal behavior and will get a special attention in the course is a family history of suicidal behavior. This is as strong a risk factor as major depression, and stronger than environmental factors such as abuse. Suicidal behavior runs in families, independently of axis I or II diagnosis. Gene-environment interaction models in children and families will be presented and discussed. We will propose a stress-diathesis model of suicidal behavior and a practical tool for risk assessment for the clinician.