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

Suicidal Behaviors (Risk Factors)

Experts are moving away from looking at suicide merely as the act of killing one's self and instead refer to a cluster of suicidal behaviors, beliefs, and/or life experiences and situations (past, present, and anticipated) known as risk factors that may eventually lead to suicide. Family members, friends, and professionals in mental health and other fields who have a clearer understanding of these suicidal risk factors are in a better position to provide early intervention to save lives.

This module introduces case examples to show individuals at various stages in the suicide continuum, from thinking of suicide to a suicide attempt.