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

Impact on Prevention: The Psychological Autopsy

One method of research which holds promise for translation into prevention and early intervention is the psychological autopsy. Investigators conducting a psychological autopsy attempt to determine an individual's mental and emotional condition prior to the suicide by extensive interviews with family, friends, and others and by reviewing personal history. Psychological autopsies are most often conducted in suicide or homicide cases and serve as a means to reconstruct the person's life and character. ref

The results of psychological autopsies may help prevention efforts target identifiable risk factors to decrease or modify unhealthy behaviors among diverse populations. Researchers and practitioners are also examining the best ways to reinforce protective factors--within an individual, family, and society--to reduce suicide rates. At this stage in the process, there are still major gaps in our understanding about the best approaches to suicide prevention. What experts do know, however, is that reducing substance abuse has cumulative benefits, including that of reducing the risk of suicide-at any age and within any population.