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

At-Risk Populations

The warning signs of suicide may differ among age groups and other populations. Module 5 of this course addresses some special populations who may either be more at-risk for suicide and/or have under-recognized and under-treated mental health concerns. These populations include: African Americans; American Indians and Alaska Natives; Hispanics and Latinos; Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) population; Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel; and the Severely and Persistently Mentally Ill (SPMI) population.

For many individuals, suicide is the last step on a continuum of pain. Crisis intervention is essential in order to help individuals find alternatives and hope before taking this final action. But, reducing suicide's destructive influence on populations and communities involves more than medical or psychological interventions at a point of crisis.

As individuals, community members, professionals, and as a society, we can change our behaviors and our systems to reduce the risk of suicide, whether it is linked to substance abuse, mental illness, or other risk factors.

By taking these steps, we can help the Joeys, Janes, Scotts, and Louises, and many others from getting to the place where there is no turning back.