Suicide of a Chief Executive Officer: Implications for Intervention (IN: Suicide and law Enforcement, ed. by D Sheehan and J Warren)

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Heterogeneity of Borderline Personality Disorder: do the Number of Criteria met Make a Difference?

The authors examined whether the severity of borderline personality disorder, as measured by the number of criteria present, is associated with comorbidity of Axis I & Axis II diagnoses, as well as demographic factors & psychosocial functioning. 2300 psychiatric outpatients were interviewed. Approximately 10% of the patients were diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. There were […]

Should Self-Defeating Personality Disorder be Revisited in the DSM?

This study evaluated self-defeating personality disorder’s viability as a diagnostic category. Its internal consistency, comorbidity with other Axis I & II disorders, association with psychosocial impairment, & its ability to predict overall impairment in past, current, & global levels of functioning beyond other personality disorder symptomatology was assessed in 1200 psychiatric patients. The self-defeating personality […]

Serotonin Transporter (5-HTTLPR) Genotype, Childhood Abuse, and Suicide Attempts in Adult Psychiatric Inpatients

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Juvenile Correctional Workers’ Perceptions of Suicide Risk Factors and Mental Health Issues of Incarcerated Juveniles

This study measured juvenile correctional officers’ knowledge & attitudes regarding suicide risk factors & mental health & substance abuse issues before & after a staff training on suicide prevention. 76 participants completed the training & demonstrated significant improvement in knowledge & attitudes toward mental health treatment of incarcerated youth. Findings suggest correctional staff are receptive […]

The Impact of Subjective and Expressed Anger on the Functioning of Psychiatric Outpatients With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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A Suicide Prevention Framework for Rhode Islanders Ages 15-24

The suicide prevention framework presented here provides guidance for professionals & individuals interested in suicide prevention planning among Rhode Islanders ages 15-24. Goals & objectives for prevention planning are outlined, with emphasis on a public health approach. Awareness, intervention & methodology objectives are discussed in detail. Recommendations for action are presented. Rhode Island suicide data […]

Attempted Suicide in Adolescents: all Patients who Have Seriously Attempted Suicide Should be Hospitalized

100 consecutive adolescents between the ages of 14 & 21 admitted to the Fuller Memorial Sanitarium were studied. Of this group, 56 had threatened &/or attempted suicide. Patient characteristics (including marital status, parental relationship, & history of mental illness) are discussed & case reports for 2 of the patients are presented. Finally, a brief method […]

Lack of Association Between Seasonality and Psychopathology in Psychiatric Outpatients

This study examined whether there were seasonal variations in rates of depression, bulimia & suicide. Diagnostic evaluations from 1500 patients presented to an American psychiatric outpatient program from 1995 to 2001 were examined. Results did not find significant seasonal variations. The authors conclude that the association between seasonality & psychopathology may not be discernable at […]

Does “Subthreshold” Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Have any Clinical Relevance?

The present report examined the extent to which subthreshold posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (without lifetime PTSD) & full PTSD are associated with impairment or distress, controlling for comorbidity in a sample of treatment-seeking psychiatric patients. No significant differences were found between patients with full PTSD & those with subthreshold PTSD in degree of impairment (i.e., […]

Clinical Features of Survivors of Sexual Abuse With Major Depression

This study examined differences in rates of trauma-related disorders between patients with histories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) & those without such histories in a sample of depressed outpatients. Another aim was to determine whether CSA is associated with recent suicidal attempts, affect dysregulation & duration of index depressive epidose, independent posttraumatic stress disorder & […]

Implementation and Assessment of a Pilot Suicidal Awareness, Identification and Prevention Program Model for State and National Utilization (NCSL)

This study examined the effectiveness of the classroom implementation of an existing teenage suicide prevention program within public school settings in Rhode Island. Information is provided on the study objectives, study methodology & test results. Conclusions & recommendations are discussed. A teacher’s manual by G.J. Fincik is part of the appendix as is an act […]

Adolescent Risk-Takers: a Trauma Center Study of Suicide Attempters and Drivers

Excessive adolescent risk-taking often results in injuries. At issue is whether adolescent suicide attempters & injured motor vehicle drivers constitute a common risk group & are differentiated by the emergency medical response & by case disposition. Data came from Rhode Island trauma center medical records. The 2 groups differed significantly by gender, race, emergency vehicle […]

Poisoning Deaths not Reported to the Regional Poison Control Center

This study charaterized poisoning deaths in Rhode Island as recorded by 2 systems to determine the incidence of deaths not reported to the poison center. State medical examiner records were matched & compared to poison center cases during 1986-89 using a computerized program. Conclusions: the medical examiner’s office is a significant source of data regarding […]

Developing a Market Plan for Nonprofit Organizations

This presentation defines marketing & notes that marketing can give positive & much needed energy to nonprofit agencies while retaining & building on the integrity of the organization. By using a marketing approach, the Samaritans of Rhode Island increased the number of organization volunteers by 100% over a 2-year period. The steps involved in developing […]

Suicide Among Social Workers in Rhode Island

Cause-specific mortality patterns, by occupation, were examined among Rhode Island residents who died during the period 1968-78, using the age-standardized proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) method. A noteworthy finding was an elevated PMR for both male & female social workers. This is the 1st report of a high risk of suicide among social workers. Due to […]

Message to Rhode Island Physicians

Discusses physician suicide with reference to warning signs & prevention/intervention strategies.

The use of Constant Observation in General Hospitals

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Evaluation of a Suicide Awareness Curriculum for High School Students

Assessed both positive & negative outcomes of a suicide awareness program for 473 students. Knowledge, attitudes, coping styles, hopelessness & helping behaviors were assessed 10 weeks after completion of the program. The experimental group displayed small but significantly greater increases in certain coping strategies & knowledge. Females were more likely to show an understanding of […]

Psychotropic Drug Related Suicides

The 92 suicides investigated by the medical examiner’s office in Rhode Island between 1975 and 1982, in which either tranquilizers or antidepressant drugs were present in the body fluids or tissues of the deceased, were studied. More antidepressant than tranquilizer suicide victims had a history of psychiatric hospitalization and had previously attempted or spoken about […]

Study Links Teen Suicide & Birth Factors

This study examines the relationship between events at birth & adolescent suicide. 52 adolescents who had committed suicide were matched with two control groups for sex, race & hospital of birth. The adolescents who had committed suicide were found to have 60% more of the risk factors than 11.5-19% of the control groups. These include […]

The Suicide Capital of America

Letter to the Editor

Suicide Education for Residence Staff: Identification, Intervention, and Referral