Public Issues and Private Troubles: Teaching Suicide Prevention Techniques in Introductory Sociology

This paper describes in detail how the topic of suicide prevention may be integrated into the introductory sociology course. This approach brings to life some basic sociological concepts, including that of the sociological imagination; relates well to Durkheim’s classic study of suicide; & immediately makes social science research & its results relevant & interesting to the students by giving them usable information & potentially life-saving skills. (19 refs.)