Responding to a Suicidal Crisis (IN: Clergy Response to Suicidal Persons and Their Family Members, edited by D C Clark)

This chapter focuses on medical & psychological aspects of suicide. It features a case illustration of a suicidal adolescent boy. As a response to the crisis, the vignette is accompanied by 3 brief explications of different psychotherapeutic approaches: “client-centered,” “cognitive, & “integrative-eclectic” schools of psychotherapy. The chapter also notes that the important role of medication & hospitalization in the treatment of severely depressed & suicidal persons should not be overlooked.