Part 1 of this book examines the field of suicidology including theory, empirical foundations & historical perspectives. Part 2 discusses sociodemographic & epidemiologic issues such as age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, economic factors, marriage & family. Part 3 reviews medical & psychiatric issues including psychiatric diagnoses, physical illness & biology. Part 4 is on indirect self-destruction, ethics, philosophy & the law. The last part discusses treatment & prevention, & postvention.