NCJ Number
141397
Journal
School Intervention Report Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 1-19
Date Published
1992
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article emphasizes that the important variables involved in adolescent suicide are important only if understood in the context of the one critical variable, that is, a pervasive sense of hopelessness.
Abstract
An understanding of the phenomenon of hopelessness is the key to lessening the risks of adolescent suicide. The motivation for suicidal persons is to end the condition of hopelessness and to escape whatever it is they perceive as intolerable. Two cognitions emerge as important to the suicidal person's belief that the pain will continue and that one is powerless to make it abate: one's life falls far short of what he or she believes to be essential, and the person attributes some and possibly all of the source of his or her unhappiness to personal inadequacies. Together with this profound hopelessness among suicidal individuals is one or more of the following: depression, anger, guilt, and deep feelings of estrangement. The common theme is hopelessness, but the combination of conditions to which that hopelessness is attached vary. To reduce suicide among students, the objective is to instill in them feelings of hope and the skills to cope with their problems. Practically, this means teaching students the knowledge and skills to build a community of support, to avoid social isolation, to develop healthy self-images, and to resolve personal crises. Guidelines are provided for identifying students who may need help. 46 references