The Learned Helplessness Syndrome: Specific Strategies for Crisis Intervention With the Suicidal Sufferer

This article outlines 5 crisis intervention strategies to address learned helplessness patterns. The authors recommend: having the suicidal person sign a written contract, manipulation of the individual’s environment, having the client chart self-defeating thoughts & images, examinination of the individual’s ability to express anger in a socially acceptable manner, and giving the person the message that additional help is forthcoming. (VM)