The suicide of a student has a rippling effect in the school environment as well as in the greater community, as a single adolescent death by suicide increases the risk of additional suicides. The process by which a completed suicide (or at times, suicidal behavior) increases the suicidal behavior of others is called contagion. When multiple…

A considerable amount of literature points to the criticality of implementing prevention and intervention strategies to address suicide in the context of schools. The authors address these elements along with a case study to increase student safety in schools.

School psychologists must have a solid understanding of how to evaluate psychological trauma. In their line of work, they have found that the PREPaRE model of school crisis intervention provides important guidance when addressing this issue. Specifically, the PREPaRE model argues that school psychologists need to conduct a needs assessment before…

Refutes certain myths about adolescent suicide and discusses the characteristics and symptoms of suicidal behavior. Offers considerations for counseling the suicidal teenager. Lists counselors' responsibilities which include being informed on the subject, arranging workshops to educate others, and offering immediate support and evaluation of the…

A random sample of 197 practicing school psychologists who were members of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) completed a survey questionnaire on experiences and perceptions with regard to school crisis preparedness, prevention, and intervention. Respondents indicated having the most direct experience with student-student…

Responsibilities of student affairs staff following the suicide of a student on campus are discussed, as well as policies and procedures for handling the psychological and social ramifications. Training suggestions for student affairs staff are included. (Author)

Interviews with seven of 10 known survivors of jumps from the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge revealed all experienced transcendence and spiritual rebirth phenomena. This paper was presented at the 8th International Congress on Suicide Prevention, Jerusalem, October 21, 1975. (Author)

Summarizes major research findings on adolescent suicide, presents a suicide chronology developed by Hawton (1986), and provides a selected list of references. Discusses five goals for counselor intervention with students at risk for suicide and explains how school personnel can work to prevent adolescent suicide. (NB)

Knowledge about adolescent suicide in Australia was investigated using the Adolescent Suicide Behavior Questionnaire. General practitioners and teachers scored, on average, 71% and 59% of the questionnaire items correct, respectively. Strengths and deficits in knowledge across the professions are discussed in terms of the potential gatekeeping…

Suicide is a personal act with a high degree of interpersonal effects and outcomes. The student contemplating or attempting suicide has reached a turning point in his life and is searching for a way out. Suicide rates among college-age students have tripled over the past 25 years. While national attention has been drawn to the problem of teenage…

Reflects the author's experiences as a suicide prevention counselor at a Japanese university. Discusses the rising rate of adolescent suicide and its relationship to social change and family structure. Concludes that adolescent suicide is a silent indictment of current society in Japan. (JAC)

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15-25. Every day, over 1,000 young adults attempt to destroy themselves. Although adolescents contemplate suicide for many reasons, research suggests that depression is the number one risk factor in suicide. Accordingly, this paper describes many of…

Discusses the involvement of school psychologists in dealing with youth suicide. Discusses primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention techniques and working with the aftermath of a suicide attempt. Argues for differential services and attention for alternative education students, gay and lesbian youth, certain ethnic minority youth, and…

Surveyed 186 high school counselors to assess their perceived self-efficacy in recognizing students at risk for suicide. Most counselors believed it was their role to recognize students at risk, however, only one in three believed they could recognize a student at risk. High efficacy-expectations significantly related to working at a high school…

This digest considers how counselors and educators can cope with the emotional needs of suicide survivors and prevent future suicides among students. It discusses self-destructive tendencies in youth and behavioral manifestations of loss; offers suggestions to counselors for managing the first 48 hours following a suicide or loss and lists…