CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. The Nature and Scope of Suicide
2. Recognizing the Progressive Development of Suicide
3. Substance Abuse as a Major Contributor to Suicide
4. Suicide Across the Life Span
5. Special Populations and Suicide Risk
6. Prevention and Early Intervention for Suicide and Substance Abuse Problems

Supplements
References
Resources

Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention

Suicide Symptoms

What is apparent is that suicide, in all its dimensions and variations, is a lonely and uncertain place. It affects hundreds of thousands of people who struggle with incapacitating feelings of despair and hopelessness or who react impulsively or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Those who experience this degree of despondency and crisis may do so in such a private and isolated way that it may be all too easy for those around them to be unaware of the problem. And for those who have never been to such an inner bleak place, it may be hard to empathize with the condition.

Unlike distress signals resulting from physical trauma, such as a heart attack or deadly disease, the pain of people considering suicide may go unrecognized until it is too late. This is why a public health approach to suicide prevention is so important--targeting or identifying at-risk people before they appear in the emergency department of a hospital. Through increasing awareness in the community-at-large, the signs and symptoms of suicide can be recognized and addressed.

Compared to progress over the past decade in identifying treatment for many mental disorders, information about the best methods for addressing suicidal behaviors is just emerging. In addition, researchers and practitioners continue to debate the role, if any, antidepressants may play in suicidality among adolescents.ref At the same time, at any age and within all socio-demographic groups, suicide and its underlying mental health issues are treatable conditions.

The advent of mood stabilizing medications, cognitive behavior treatment, and other therapies, and/or a combination of these interventions, have enhanced the quality of life for thousands of people. Other promising practices offer hope for many others. Effective treatment is also available for individuals who need help for substance or alcohol abuse.