Presents an overview of the risks of self-harm and suicide and in particular the importance of family in mental health outcomes for same-sex attracted young people. Mental health workers can assist families gain confidence in dealing with the news that a young person is same-sex attracted. Implications for practitioners and a model for affirmative…

This study investigated the role of gender, family cohesion, religiosity, and negative suicide attitudes as potential determinants of cultural differences in suicide ideation among 375 college students from Ghana and the United States. Significant cultural differences were found for suicide ideation, family closeness, religiosity, and negative…

Analyzes suicide in terms of a dynamic model of changes in suicidal tendencies over time. Suggests that minor fluctuations may incite rapid development toward suicide or inhabit suicidality. Notes that this method of analysis and developmental modeling is applicable to other phenomena involving development in complex human behaviors in an open…

Discusses Mishara's use of phrase space analysis to chart the developmental dynamics of suicide. Contends that developmentalists should concern themselves with mental ontology, especially epistemic questions, in order to advance understanding of the development of the human mind. Considers the affinity of interactivism with a dynamic systems…

Provides a brief overview of musician Kurt Cobain's life and one community's response to his suicide. Comments on the apparent lack of possible copycat suicides following the suicide. Presents two perspectives, drawn from public health and the news media, regarding the role of media influence on copycat suicides. (RJM)

Gives results of a survey on the nature of, and the services offered by, suicide survivor groups. Results indicate that most groups are sponsored by mental health or social service agencies, have operated eight to nine years on average, and have fewer than 10 people typically in attendance at meetings. Other findings are reported. (RJM)

Examined the school performance, suicidal involvement, disordered eating behaviors, pregnancy risk, and chemical use of female teenagers with a history of sexual abuse. Found that they reported higher rates of adverse outcomes than did teenagers without a background of abuse. Lists protective factors and risk factors that influenced outcomes. (RJM)

Describes the development of a knowledge measure for the evaluation of a proactive training program for suicide postvention and gives analyses of its psychometric properties. Participants showed significant improvement in overall test scores and on several individual items following training. Analysis suggests that the measure has construct…

Discusses initiation of school-based adolescent suicide response programs by reviewing recommended strategies and issues. Issues include program rationale, responsibilities of schools and teachers, and concerns about the impact of programs. Strategies include using appropriate instructional principles, maintaining systemic/ecological focus,…

Sees suicide among college and university students as an important campus issue because of its frequency and the severe trauma often precipitated by a suicide. Summarizes the prominent literature in the area of college student suicide, provides a critical review, identifies relevant themes, and discusses future directions. (TE)

Examined factors thought to be related to adolescent suicidal ideation: absence or disruption of interpersonal attachments, conviction of personal helplessness, and sense of hopelessness. Found nearly 61 percent of 191 college students to have some suicidal ideation. Low- and moderate- to high-level ideators reported poorer parent relationships…

Reviews the literature on childhood suicide. Looks at current statistics on the occurrence of suicide among children. Examines characteristics and risk factors associated with the suicidal child, causes and signs of childhood suicide, developmental issues, exceptional children, and treatment interventions. Discusses six implications of childhood…

As violence and suicide increase in our society, educators are helping students, staff members, and families cope with the sudden loss of a peer or child. Pragmatic intervention strategies can help survivors deal with their reactions to sudden death and posttraumatic stress disorders. Counseling techniques are also outlined. (MLH)

Reviews studies of suicidal behavior in school settings, including studies of suicidal behavior in precollege students and college students, and studies of completed suicides in college students. Concludes that studies indicate that suicidal behavior is infrequent among elementary school children, but increases progressively among junior high,…

Questionnaire responses were obtained from 120 high school students on their (1) knowledge of suicide risk factors; (2) attitudes toward suicidal peers; and (3) ability to respond appropriately to suicidal messages from peers. Overall, relatively few students had accurate information, a finding with many implications for educators. (SLD)