Suicide in Youth: What Counselors Can Do About It (From Adolescent Suicide, P 201-204, 1988, Robert W. Cole, Jr., ed. -- See NCJ-117025)

• NCJ Number: 117040
• Author(s): B Fitchette
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: Phi Delta Kappa
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from School Guidance Worker, V 38, No. 2 November/December 1982

Annotation

School counselors should be aware of the signs that a student is contemplating suicide and should intervene if a student confides that he or she is thinking of suicide.

Abstract

Among the myths about suicide are that people who talk about killing themselves will not do it, that suicidal individuals never tell their family or friends, that asking someone about their suicidal intentions causes the person to commit suicide, and that no one can stop someone who wants to kill themselves. Teachers and counselors are important people in the detection of students who might be suicidal, because suicidal adolescents often do not draw attention to themselves and are quite and aloof from peers and adults. They should be aware of the specific behavioral, cognitive, and physical signs of suicidality and should heed students who talk about death or make suicide threats. Counselors should show concern and question the student about feelings and intention. They should not be afraid of making fools of themselves if they intervene and should not count on having time to deliberate over asking for help in aiding the student.