Suicide Research Shows Facts Versus Fables

Reports on a book by Shneidman & Farberow in which they discuss popular myths about suicide. Findings based on research conducted at the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center include: most attempters are not intent on dying but are “gambling with death”; the wish to kill oneself is fleeting, though suicidal risk continues for 3 months; suicide is not more common among either the rich or the poor; suicide does not run in families & suicide is committed by people who are not mentally ill. (RM)