Classroom Discussion of Suicide: An Intervention Tool for the Teacher (From Adolescent Suicide, P 177-180, 1988, Robert W. Cole, Jr., ed. -- See NCJ-117025)

• NCJ Number: 117037
• Author(s): W V Johnson
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: Phi Delta Kappa
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from Contemporary Education, V 56, No. 2 Winter 1985.

Annotation

Educators are in a unique position to have a significant role in countering the emotional isolation and sense of aloneness that lead to adolescent suicide by encouraging classroom discussion on the topic of depression and self-destructive behavior.

Abstract

Discussion of suicide will not make depressed students more inclined toward suicide. Instead, communication actually helps to modify the likelihood of an attempt. The Adolescent Suicide Project conducted by the Suicide Prevention Center, Inc., in Dayton, Ohio has an intervention tool for the teacher. However, many myths prevent educators from addressing the subject of suicide. These include the view that talking about suicide will encourage it, that people who have attempted suicide will not try again because of their shame and pain, and that expressing bad feelings in words only aggravates the situation. Teachers and others should also be aware of the following definite signs that might indicate that a young person is depressed and seriously considering suicide: giving away prized personal items, preoccupation with death and dying, and talking about dying and suicide. 8 references.