Resources Library

How Should Suicides Be Recorded in the Hospital Medical Record?

Historical Note on Completed Suicides in Australia: Introduction

Letter in reply to Dr. Oliver and Professor Hetzel (Medical Journal of Australia, April 8 1972).

Suicide in Today’s Society

Presentation of the Federal Objective to Reduce the Suicide Rate by 1990

Suicide Potential and Time Perspective

A semi-projective questionnaire (the Time Questionnaire) was developed & significantly differentiated clinical groups (in & outpatients) where suicidal intent was prominent from non-clinical groups based on the degree & detail of elaboration of future time perspective. The instrument also discriminated the more suicidal in-patient from the outpatient group. The instrument assessed suicidal tendencies independently from […]

Legality of Ignoring Suicidal Patient’s Request for No Resuscitation

Family Loss and Hospital Suicide

In 19 consecutive cases of inpatient suicide, 18 were judged to have had a significant family loss. In 5 cases there seemed to be a powerful institutional attachment. In 13 cases a major family issue was involved which included events that estranged the patient from the family: divorce, death or illness, & a family that […]

Suicide in Children and Adolescents

Suicide attempts and gestures in children and adolescents are much more common than has been recognized. It is of paramount importance that the child and his family be worked with until the causes are understood and resolved.

Suicide in Santiago, Chile

Management of the Serious Suicide Attempt: A Special ICU Nursing Problem

New Directions for Suicide Prevention Centers

Author maintains there is no evidence that suicide prevention centres which specialize in telephone referral have reduced suicide rates. New methods must be found to reach high risk groups, provide effective follow up, co-operate with other agencies & local hospitals and differentiate types of suicidal behavior for treatment purposes.(KM)

Suicide in San Francisco’s Skid Row

Compared 110 male & 12 female suicides with 18,956 Skid Row area residents. Identified 6 profile types among the suicide group: prototype suicide; aged & physically ill immigrant; young, unmarried alcoholic; alcoholic mentally disordered;maritally disrupted & mentally disordered American; & aged & mentally disordered immigrant. Suggests alcohol usage by itself does not discriminate within the […]

Suicides in the “New” Community Hospital

An evaluation of the treatment in this hospital on the basis of the rate of actual suicide during 2 time periods: before & after a community psychiatric approach was implemented. With the new approach, even though more patients are in the community, the rate of suicide was somewhat lower (though not significantly). Experience indicates the […]

A Note on the Possible Iatrogenesis of Suicide

This paper discusses some of the messages which are transmitted by therapists to suicidal patients. It presents 6 anecdotes dealing with suicide attempts or plans, 4 of which involved completed suicides. It suggests that such incidents, including so-called suicidal gestures or even rumination about suicide, should not be taken lightly. It closes with a brief […]

Suicide by Physicians

An examination of the Journal of the American Medical Association obituary notices of male physicians for the years 1966-71, revealed 645 deaths by suicide. The physicians had a higher suicide rate than the genral white male population, up to 40% in the age group 35-70. In the age group 25-35, suicide was about 10% less […]

The Suicidal Patient: Some Considerations in Evaluation & Management

Suicide and the Physician: Experience and Attitudes in the Community

In order to evaluate the approach of the practicing physician, 78 doctors in the greater Atlanta community were interviewed regarding the prevalence of suicide in their practices. Authors conclude that most physicians were inadequately trained to handle these patients alone & most quickly shifted responsibility for care to the psychiatrist. Limited sedative prescription & diligence […]

Organizing and Funding Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services

The author discusses the relative advantages of establishing suicide prevention and crisis intervention services wthin an existing agency or as an autonomous unit. Problems in staffing, the use of volunteers, and sources of financial support are also examined.

Suggestions for Suicide Prevention (IN: Clues to Suicide, ed. by E S Shneidman)

This chapter offers suicide prevention tips such as: early recognition of mental depression, insomnia, anorexia, loss of interest & drive, the mood reaction; use of barbiturates; carry out psychological tests; educate families; encourage suicidal individuals to go to psychiatric clinics; instruct police officers on how to deal with suicidal situations; stricter controls over prescription drugs; […]

The Family Doctor and the Suicidal Crisis

The ofttimes difficult evaluation & managenment of a patient who is likely to commit suicide begins with recognizing that he might. The family physician usually has the first & best opportunity to detect suicidal tendencies & to respond to overt or disguised pleas for help.

A Drug Education Program for Community Outreach Workers

Suicide Prevention Centers: Data from 1970

Letter to the editor.

Multiple Perspectives on a Geriatric “Death Valley”

Little is known about the total situation in which aged patients find themselves as the prospect of death increases. This paper focuses upon perceptions of “Death Valley”, the intensives treatment unit of a geriatric hospital. Information gathered from patients & staff showed differences between “official” & “unofficial” communications on the subject of death, between the […]