Author explains why he disagrees with concept of rational suicide, asserting that what some see as basis for rational suicide, he sees as basis for therapy. Discusses particular circumstances of the very old, disabled, and terminally ill. Contends that effective psychotherapy is possible with terminally ill. Concludes that, although he opposes…

A mother of a 16 year-old suicide victim writes to school counselors who let her down by not informing her of important changes in her son's activities, personality, and choice of friends at school. The letter also addresses two psychologists in a psychiatric hospital who suppressed information about the boy's suicidal intentions and his…

The concepts evolving from chaos theory can help clinicians identify patterns in family interactions that are critical for transformations to occur. This article explores a specific case example from such a perspective. Observation of how suicidal behavior becomes part of a pattern of family interaction offers a framework for clinicians to observe…

Analysis of 1980 state-level data found that white suicide rates were associated with variables indicating social instability, while American Indian suicide rates were negatively related to wealth and urbanization. Both white and Indian homicide rates were related to social instability; Indian rates were also negatively related to unemployment.…

Group of suicide attempters and depressed adolescents distinguished itself from psychologically most "normal" group in study by reporting less support/understanding from siblings and relations outside family, more changes in living situation, more changes in caretaker and physical abuse during childhood, more siblings leaving home during…

Examined psychosocial risk factors for attempting suicide in 1,508 high school students, 26 of whom attempted suicide during year following entry into study. Strongest predictors of future suicide attempt were history of past attempt, current suicidal ideation and depression, recent attempt by friend, low self-esteem, and having been born to…

The author anticipates that sophisticated interactive computer programs will be effective in improving screening and case finding of the suicidal and that they will become invaluable in improving training for primary care providers and outpatient mental health workers. Additionally, improved communication networks will help maintain continuity of…

This paper discusses the rationale for school-based suicide postvention consultation, various arguments for utilization of external and internal consultants, and basic goals of postvention consultation. It advocates an ecological systems view of postvention consultation. (Author/DB)

Explores many dimensions of suicide among the terminally ill, including preemptive, surcease, and rational suicide. The critical issues addressed are the incidence of suicide in HIV-positive individuals, contributing factors associated with the risk of suicide among people with HIV/AIDS, and the clinical and ethical implications of this issue for…

Reviews the development and psychometric analyses of the Suicide Assessment Checklist (SAC), a 21-item, 2-part instrument constructed for use as a standardized component of a comprehensive suicide risk assessment and documentation strategy in the emergency evaluation of risk for suicidal behavior. Results suggest SAC is psychometrically sound.…

College students (n=141) rated 30 potentially comforting remarks which might be made to recently bereaved person, having been told that death was either natural and anticipated, natural and unanticipated, suicide, homicide, or accident. Six of 30 responses varied significantly in helpfulness ratings depending upon type of death. Least helpful…

Notes that only counselors who lack appropriate skills or who are negligent in their care of students will be held accountable by courts for suicide attempts or deaths of students. Considers suicide prevention skills that school counselor should possess. Discusses difficulty in prediction, confidentiality, prevention programs, and the involvement…

Collected baseline data on correlates of suicide ideation and social and psychological differences between suicide attempters and nonattempters from 84 Zuni adolescents. Found significant correlations between suicide ideation and past suicide attempts, drug use, depression, hopelessness, stress, psychological symptomatology, social support, liking…

Examined impact of religion and gender on fifth graders' (n=142) attitudes toward life and death. Although all children displayed high attraction and low repulsion to life and low attraction and high repulsion to death, religious children displayed higher attraction to death. Found main effect of gender and gender x religiosity interaction.…

Outlines a 14-step process for establishing a suicide prevention program, including collecting data; gaining administrative approval; seeking legal advice; establishing an ad hoc crisis intervention committee; collecting sample forms; appraising agency resources; developing a written policy; appraising community resources; involving the media;…