Examined the safety and effectiveness of an outpatient treatment program for suicidal children and adolescents (n=47) that used a clinical team approach and clinical team/family member gatherings to prevent future extreme reactions to stresses and developmental transitions. Evaluation of the program indicated significant long-term improvement.…

Presents case consultation describing 19-year-old White male who killed himself 2 days after outpatient therapy session. Explains parents' lawsuit against son's psychiatrist and mental health center. Case summary is followed by reviews by 2 psychiatrists from perspectives of defense and plaintiff. Concludes by discussing actual outcome of case…

Begins by presenting definitions of adolescence, suicide, and gifted, then goes on to examine issues related to suicide among gifted adolescents. Precipitating events for the gifted adolescent are identified, including perfectionism, disappointments, insecurities, career identity issues, and depression. Outlines warning signs and risk factors to…

Reports instance of mass suicide committed by seven members of local religious cult following leader's death in Japan in November 1986. Case is discussed from following viewpoints: (1) Japanese feudal form of suicide called Junshi; (2) religion and current social changes in Japanese society; and (3) destructive aspects of a cult. (Author)

Discourse or content analysis of a diary was employed to evaluate ideation and attitude of middle-aged female suicide committer. Starting with rational basis for establishing the suicidal act, assessment of the journal content suggests that writer may have responded to variety of socio-psychological conditions and emotions during the planned…

Interviewed 25 funeral directors concerning family reactions to suicide and other deaths. Subjects reported that suicide produced different reactions by family and different social responses to family than other types of deaths. Suicide was viewed as producing more shame and embarrassment, greater difficulty in coping with death, and greater…

Following a brief literature review and a case study involving multiple suicides within a one-week period, recommendations are offered for dealing with the death of a student. The key to addressing adolescent suicide in schools is advance planning and clear task responsibilities. Includes 10 references. (MLH)

Licensed psychologists (n=46) from a Southern state psychological association answered questions regarding their beliefs and attitudes about no-suicide agreements. They were judged highly appropriate with moderately suicidal patients and were expected to help patients postpone suicide until after a crisis had passed and to help reduce clinicians'…

Studies adolescents discharged from a hospital following suicide attempt who were randomly allocated to a treatment group receiving standard management plus a token allowing readmission to the hospital on demand, or a control group receiving standard management only. Results suggest lower rates of repeat suicide attempts in the group that received…

Presents the epidemiology of suicide and discusses known risk factors for suicide within a framework designed to encourage a systematic approach to theory testing and prevention. Since risk factors for suicide rarely occur in isolation, prevention efforts are more likely to succeed if multiple risk factors are targeted. (JPS)

Contends that old age, in and of itself, should never need to be a cause for self-destruction. Further argues that suicide and assisted suicide carried out in the face of terminal illness causing unbearable suffering should be ethically and legally acceptable. Outlines a perspective on rational suicide among the elderly. (Author/NB)

Presents case study of 50-year-old widow with history of emotional disturbance who committed suicide by a drug overdose 10 days after discharge from inpatient treatment for psychotic illness. Following case presentation are commentaries from John Maltsberger, MD (McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts) and Wayne Fenton, MD (Chestnut Lodge…

Examined relationships between adolescents' attitudes toward suicide and their psychosocial background. Findings from 525 Israeli adolescents indicated that significantly more females, nonreligious adolescents, those exposed to suicidal behavior, and those with increased suicidal risk held more accepting attitudes. Ethnic origin, socioeconomic…

Responds to study (Shaffer et al., 1990) on adolescent suicide attempters and suicide prevention programs. Challenges study results, arguing against implications that effectiveness of all educational suicide intervention efforts are doomed and that suicide is function of mental illness rather than stresses and losses of life. Argues that death…

Study indicates states with high urban homicide rates also had high rural homicide rates, but no such relationship was found with suicide rates. Social disintegration was strongly associated with urban and rural suicide rates; however, rural suicide rates were higher in states that were relatively more urbanized, and rural homicide rates were…