A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology examines predictors of first suicide attempts among children who have suicidal thoughts or engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Using data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study, researchers analyzed a range of risk factors in 344 children with suicidal ideation and 261 children with NSSI over a four-year period. The study found that 11.6% of children with suicidal thoughts and 12.3% of those with NSSI attempted suicide during follow-up. Key predictors for children with suicidal ideation included caregiver-reported NSSI, witnessing domestic violence, severity of suicidal thoughts, being female, increased online social screen use, and lower parental supervision. For those with NSSI, risk factors included witnessing domestic violence, anxiety disorders, caregiver-reported NSSI, being female, and having disruptive or conduct disorders. The findings aim to inform population-based suicide prevention strategies for children, highlighting the importance of addressing these risk factors.