Examines the suicide epidemic on Wind River Reservation during August and September 1985, which produced 12 suicide deaths and 88 verifiable attempts or threats, mainly among teenagers and young adults. Describes immediate responses and longterm prevention efforts of the reservation Behavior Health Program, government agencies, and tribal groups.…

Surveyed 491 Arkansans concerning attitudes toward suicide. Over one-half of respondents knew someone who had committed or tried to commit suicide; 69 percent did not believe person has right to commit suicide; 71 percent believed normal persons would not commit suicide. Attitudes and experiences with suicide and suicidal people were…

Students (n=1050) in a mid-Atlantic state were divided into past suicide attempters, depressed students, and nondepressed students, and were compared for risk factors. Suicide attempters reported lack of adult support; more problems with parents, police, and sex; and increased incidence of physical abuse, running away from home, living away from…

Describes an intervention package for suicidal children and adolescents, the structure and content of which is based on insights gained from previous research studies and extensive clinical practice. Essential features of the package, which is currently the focus of a major controlled evaluative study, are that it is short-term, focused,…

The epidemiology of adolescent suicide is summarized with particular emphasis on temporal trends by age and gender. "First-generation" prevention programs are examined, followed by a description of selective, targeted, "second generation" prevention efforts, which are focused toward targets of individual predisposition, the…

Presents epidemiological data for levels and trends in suicide among elderly, focusing on U.S. figures. Details age, sex, race, marital status, and methods of suicide as factors in suicide among the old. Discusses past trends and future predictions of changes in elderly suicide rates. Notes data and literatures on parasuicides and survivors of…

Examined college students' (n=118) attributions about suicide. Male athletes who suicided were judged more emotionally well adjusted than males who suicided because of relationship failure and all females. Athletes of both sexes who suicided were judged more competent and less distressed than individuals who suicided because of failed…

Educators can help resolve student grief over death of a student or staff member by giving accurate information, answering questions, sharing their feelings, and learning from the experience. Meeting with small groups of students after the incident may help them cope with their feelings. This article recommends a four-phase model employing crisis…

Describes evolution of peer support groups in one high school formed in response to the suicide by one of the school's students. Explains role and responsibilities of peer coordinator and the development of the peer tutoring program. Included are discussions of selection and training of peer facilitators, topics, getting started, and group bonding…

Interviewed 50 hospitalized suicide attempters and 57 professional caregivers they identified as having been consulted prior to attempts. Approximately one-half of patients directly disclosed suicidal symptoms or intentions, especially to mental health professionals. Few caregivers noted suicidal thinking or probed suicidal symptoms. Data suggest…

Explored gender differences in psychosocial correlates of suicidal ideation in 613 high school students. Males reported higher loneliness and substance abuse scores than females; females reported greater suicidal ideation, depression, and reasons for living. Females had greater fear of death/injury; males had greater fear of social disapproval…

Notes that effective measures of knowledge about mental health in later life are valuable in needs assessments and educational program evaluations. Describes development of two short, true/false quizzes, one on alcohol problems, other on depression and suicide in later life. Discusses usefulness of quizzes in planning and evaluating community…

This article recounts the case of a gifted French adolescent girl whose life, characterized by family problems and lack of support, resulted in her tragic suicide at the age of 17. (DB)

Presents evidence for a model of risk factors, including depression, hopelessness, lack of social support, and negative self-evaluations, that contribute to suicidal ideation among normative and clinically depressed adolescents. (HTH)

Presents interview with Ralph Mero, Executive Director of Compassion in Dying, Seattle (Washington)-based organization that has brought new voice to controversial issue of physician-assisted rational suicide. Mero explains how his years as minister watching people suffer with cancer or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome led him to work for…