Suicide is the second (behind accidents) leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. Schools are in a unique position to make a difference in suicide prevention by addressing three distinct phases of the problem: prevention, intervention, and post factum. Factors are identified that have a direct bearing on level of risk and should be…

In 1983, the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill 947 which authorized a statewide Youth Suicide Prevention School Program, including provisions for staff training, parent awareness, and a classroom curriculum. This document contains the four guides of the Youth Suicide Prevention School Program. The first guide, the Implementation and…

Suicide rates vary greatly by sex and race, but the methods employed by these groups have not been studied closely and across time. Annual official national statistics for specific methods of suicide by sex and specific racial group were examined from 1923 to 1978. During this time period, shifts occurred in the proportions of suicides by method,…

The research question for this dissertation study was: Do behavioral outcomes identified in people who commit suicide exist in people who publicly exhibit productive behavioral outcomes and have not attempted suicide? More specifically, do selective affective and physiological behavioral outcomes identified in people who kill themselves exist is…

Analysis of insights of parents of gifted adolescent boys (N=8) who committed suicide found retrospective clues for potential suicide such as: lack of recognition/acceptance of individuality; effects of competition on self-esteem; lack of coping skills; and suicidal behavior of friends. (CB)

School safety is a topic of national debate due to the severity of student violence in the last few years. While the percentage of violent incidences in schools nationwide has decreased, the problem resides in the increased severity of such crimes. Teachers are facing random acts of violence seldom faced in the past. This paper discusses…

This resource guide is intended to assist schools in developing protocols for responding to critical incidents. It focuses on proactive plans to deal with the traumatic aftereffects of a critical incident which affects some or all of the members of a school community. The guide outlines a generic protocol which includes steps to be undertaken in…

Discusses adolescent depression, suicide and parasuicidal behavior and suggests that these behaviors appear in a predetermined sequence. Uses a developmental perspective to weave together two patterns: identity formation, and a three-phase process of adolescent maturation specific to each individual. Attempts to integrate clinical findings and…

Examined a model of suicide behavior in college-aged suicide ideators. Results indicate that college-student suicide ideators are under higher levels of negative life stress, are more hopeless, and have higher levels of depression. Poor problem-solvers under high stress were higher on suicide intent than other groups. (Author)

Contains 10 articles discussing various issues relating to suicide. Discusses difficulties in defining suicide and a psychological theory of suicide. Reports on suicide among the gifted and discusses cognitive processes and styles relating to suicide. Discusses the psychological autopsy, psychotherapy with suicidal patients, and care of the…

Consultation to school personnel following student suicides led to a program of prevention through training school personnel. The program increased the ability of resource persons available to adolescents--teachers, counselors and school nurses--to recognize signs of suicidal depression and to respond effectively to suicidal students. (Author)

Revisits G. Robert Carlsen's call for the use of young adult literature in the classroom by looking specifically at the emotional and reading needs of older adolescents, those in the upper grades. Discusses problems associated with adolescence in the late twentieth century and lists recommended young adult books that touch on those issues. (TB)

This article documents the responses of a state-supported residential high school for gifted students following the 1994 suicides of three students. The school's measures to develop a screening procedure, design a prevention program, disseminate information about adolescent suicide, and host a conference are outlined, as is a separate crisis…

Reviews and synthesizes recent literature on social problems in the lives of adolescents, including depression, suicide, substance abuse, sexual activity, sexually transmitted diseases, rape, sexual preference, and school dropout. Explores key factors in effective intervention and prevention programs for students with and without learning…

Reviews a systems theory approach to the development of community-based suicide prevention programs. Describes the Lifelines model of youth suicide prevention, and discusses the feasibility of implementing this model in rural and isolated areas. Contains 19 references and an outline of procedures for crisis intervention and aftercare. (SV)