This book was designed to answer the question, "What should schools do to minimize the likelihood of student suicide?" Written by professionals representing the fields of law, psychology, and education, the legal portion of the book addresses the issue of what should be done, the psychological section on what is to be done, and the…

Many schools have been dealing with youth suicide and other death-related issues. From the experiences of the schools and other community organizations have emerged workable practices and procedures which can be implemented for general use. Schools can now develop and implement comprehensive plans to deal with death issues using a variety of…

There appears to be a tendency for people who have not been victimized by negative life events to perceive themselves as less vulnerable to victimization than others. Research has revealed this unrealistic optimism in risk perception. A study on rationales for risky behaviors was conducted to identify reasons other than this illusion of…

The pilot study focused on the effective design of adaptive biofeedback equipment for use in the control of self-mutilating behaviors in individuals with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, typically characterized by apasticity, mental retardation, and violent biting of the lips and fingers. Utilizing an electromyographic (EMG) monitor and a custom-designed…

The perception of death gradually develops in a child's mind, reaching maturity at about 8 or 9 years of age. A mature death concept usually means a definition which includes the perception of death as a natural process, its finality, its irreversibility, and its universality. A study was undertaken to improve knowledge about the death concept.…

This guide, in two sections, emphasizes a community-based, school-focused collaborative approach to preventing youth suicide in Wisconsin. Cooperative school district and community agency endeavors frame the approach. The following three-part philosophy undergirds it: First, youth suicide is a community problem requiring a community solution best…

This paper cites studies on the interaction of depression and learning disability, examines the question of whether depression is a result or a cause of learning disability, emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis of depression versus learning disability, and reviews the incidence of suicide-related events among the learning-disabled.…

To deal with rising teen suicide and attempted suicide, this Michigan school system developed a comprehensive crisis response plan encouraging greater communication with students, parents, and school staff members and involving immediate response by trained professionals and followup procedures to stabilize the school community. (WTH)

Examines personality correlates (obsessiveness, dependency, self-directed hostility and assertiveness) of anorexic symptomatology. Analysis demonstrates that only obsessiveness and emotional reliance on another person were related to anorexic symptoms. Findings are discussed in relation to other researchers' conceptions of the anorexic…

Addresses issues such as dropouts, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, suicide, and other health-damaging behaviors. Presents a theory of youth development and learning, and an integrated, interactive and reciprocal model for the prevention of health-damaging behavior. Addresses the role of the schools in prevention. (Author/BH)

Mentally retarded suicide attempters/ideators (n=22) were compared to 22 nonsuicidal mentally retarded adults referred for outpatient mental health services. Few differences were found between the two groups. The typical suicide attempter was a young adult with mild to borderline mental retardation and a physical disability or chronic medical…

An instrument to measure cultural values and characteristics among reservation American Indians was developed and administered with the Health Risk Appraisal to a random sample of 429 Cheyenne River Sioux. Women were significantly healthier and had fewer health risk behaviors than men. Traditional cultural values were positively related to good…

Analyzes the results of administering the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale to 80 non-delinquent male high-school students and 101 delinquent males. Findings indicate that self destructiveness in both groups is related to alcohol use and other related risky behaviors. Suggests juvenile-delinquency intervention strategies. (MKA)

Compares differences in the bereavement process for 30 survivors of suicide versus 30 survivors of car accidents. Indicates suicide survivors were more depressed than accident survivors at the first measure but not at the second measure. Survivors of suicide experienced greater feelings of shame and had experienced more life events after the death…

Describes a study of sources of alcohol and drug information among Israeli urban adolescents in the north of Israel in 1993. Data were obtained form 1,346 students (50.9% male, 49.1% female) who indicated the amount of information they had received from 10 sources about 8 categories of drugs. Implications for prevention are discussed. (Author/KW)