NCJ Number
195764
Date Published
2002
Length
33 pages
Annotation
In this chapter, a literature review was presented on suicide providing an understanding of the reasons behind suicide and the assessment, intervention, and prevention of suicide offering the intervener a solid foundation for suicide intervention.
Abstract
For many individuals, suicide is an escape from the experience of too much psychological pain. Reasons used by individuals for committing suicide usually have several commonalties. Understanding these commonalties, as well as the variables or risk factors both sociological and psychological for suicide will assist interveners in attaining a better handle of the reasons for suicide and the intervention steps to be taken to reduce and prevent suicide. Research has shown that the prevention of suicide has traditionally followed three general approaches: primary, secondary, and tertiary. With numerous effective suicide intervention programs and strategies having been discussed in previous studies, intervention can be broadly defined. A five-step model for crisis intervention was developed: (1) establish rapport; (2) explore; (3) focus; (4) develop options and a plan of action; and (5) terminate. The prevention and treatment of suicide is a complex task. For many, prevention and/or treatment is a long term goal that involves the understanding of the processes leading up to the suicidal thoughts and strengthening the mechanisms that can overcome the suicidal thoughts. For crisis counselors, criminal justice personnel, and school officials, adequate training is lacking in the area of suicidal prevention and treatment. Increased training is needed in both risk assessment and treatment to reduce the rate of suicide. Discussion questions, simulated exercises and references