Reports areas of difficulty (including funding issues, management and personal bias issues, and theoretical issues) which emerged in the development of five treatment groups of depressed and suicidal patients. Groups reflected efforts between the city-county mental health system and funding agencies. Strategies for overcoming difficulties are…

Groups of married couples (N=4) were studied using a measure of their marital communication habits and an intensive personal interview. Analysis of the data revealed that the quality of interpersonal communication between spouses significantly deteriorated across the groups as the degree of suicidal behavior increased. (Author)

Patients (N=3,006) admitted to a psychiatric in-patient service because of a suicidal state were contacted to determine if post-discharge plans were followed. Half of those who refused treatment were contacted by telephone or letter on a set schedule. Evidence is that a high-risk population for suicide can be identified. (Author)

The psychological autopsy method was used to examine the effects of suicide on surviving family members. Structured interviews with subjects consecutively selected from coroner's records focused on the immediate impact of death; current understanding; and social, vocational, physical, and psychological effects seven months after the death. (Author)

Using a narrative reconstruction, presents the case of a young man who, without prior warning, kills himself. Using a psychic autopsy, posits that the man lacked ego strength, was overly narcissistic, and deeply troubled. Offers guiding remarks for such cases and notes that therapists must recognize patients' concealment of suicidal thoughts. (RJM)

Examined stressors preceding the suicide attempts of 40 adolescents. Results show that 77.5% of the youth reported conflict with their parents in the few hours before the event. Significantly more suicidal subjects experienced family conflict, problems at school, and problems with boy/girlfriends during the preceding six months when compared to a…

The psychological autopsy and its use in studying the suicides of three adolescents at a school for gifted students are described in this article. Positive and negative effects of autopsy interviews are discussed, as is the importance of confidentiality. A sample interview protocol is provided for psychological autopsy researchers. (Author/PB)

Provides a brief overview of some of the literature available to school counselors on the topics of ethnic and gender differences, methods, risk factors, precipitants of acts of self-harm, myths, and the profile of a potentially suicidal adolescent. Follows with a description of best practices for creating and implementing prevention, crisis…

Examined a collaboration between health education and psychological services in generating a high school depression and suicide prevention program. The five-component program raised awareness of teen depression and suicide, increased communication about these issues within the school and community, and provided information about available…

Describes Wisconsin case involving the suicide of seventh-grade girl after principal suspended her for having a cigarette in her locker--disciplinary action required by school board policy. Parents sued claiming violation of their daughter's 14th Amendment rights and state negligence laws. Federal appellate court dismissed all claims; parents…

Rates of adolescent attempted suicide were correlated with social indicators over electoral wards of Edinburgh, Scotland. Rates were found to be higher in wards where child neglect and misbehavior were more common. Rates of attempted suicides in total population also were related to housing patterns/social class of the wards. (Author/NB)

Describes advances made in the understanding of how sex hormones may modify various cognitive skills, how normal brain signaling mechanisms may cause nerve cell death, and how many cells appear to hold genetic agents which determine their own destruction. (RT)

Discusses three major concerns related to crisis situations in the school: policy development, creating an awareness of the problem, and staff training. Presents framework to assist school districts in planning appropriate interventions for at-risk students. Includes discussion of legal concerns and issues related to self-destructive behavior. (NB)

Describes cultural considerations associated with American Indian adolescents coping within a transactional, cognitive-phenomenological framework. Discusses select cultural values and beliefs of American Indians associated with death in terms of person variables and situational demand characteristics that interplay in coping process. Suggests…

An overview of research and programs aimed at primary prevention of adolescent suicide is presented. In addition to person-centered programs, institutionally oriented prevention efforts involving policy formation at the district, community, and state levels are outlined. Model programs and resources are cited. (SLD)