The aim of this cross-sectional study is to report the self-destructive and suicidal behavior of 98 children and adolescents in child welfare institutions. The children were evaluated using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and questionnaires about suicidal and violent behavior, filled in by the child's key worker. Thirty-two per cent of the sample had presented suicidal thoughts, threats or suicide attempts during the previous 6 months. Suicidality was associated with low general functioning level (CGAS<61), self-mutilating behavior and violence. Furthermore, suicidal children had significantly higher CBCL total, externalizing, internalizing, anxious-depressive and aggressive scores. Children with suicide attempts (8% of the sample) had a significantly higher number of different types of traumatic experiences before the placement and higher somatization syndrome scores compared to children with suicidal ideation or non-suicidal children.