Adolescent Suicide: a Review of Risk Factors and Implications for Practice

This article reviews risk factors for adolescent suicide. 5 factors have consistently been correlated with completed suicide: previous suicide attempt; presence of a diagnosable psychiatric disorder; substance abuse, especially the use of alcohol; presence of psychopatholgy in the immediate family; & contagion. Guidelines for clinical assessment & intervention are described. A discussion of the potential role of religious education as an intervention for adolescent suicide concludes the article. (27 refs.)