This dissertation in practice sought to understand the major contributors to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in preadolescent children as described by health professionals in Washington state. Interview participants, made up of mental health therapists in private and public practice, emergency room personnel, school psychiatrists, and nurses in psychiatric care were asked to describe the extent of depression/suicidal ideation in kindergarten through sixth grade. This single phase, phenomenological study resulted in four themes and two conclusions, from which the researcher was able to offer two proposed solutions. It is the hope of the researcher that this study will contribute to the field of education and mental health and help to decrease the number of preadolescent and adolescent suicide in Washington state and throughout the nation. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]