Resources Library

The Physician’s Liability in Suicide and Homicide

Discusses whether physicians should be liable for failing to commit persons who exhibit suicidal or homicidal tendencies & who eventually do injury to themselves or others. 17 refs. (LH)

The Late Effects of Loss of Parents in Childhood

Occupational Hazards of Physicians – Suicide

Suicidal Impulse in Depression and Paranoia

This article analyzed depression & paranoia through a modified form of the Freudian concept of death instinct. The author asserts that this application of Freudian theory allows therapists to more adequately treat patients who are depressed, suicidal or paranoid. (20 refs) (SC)

New Centre Will Compile Suicide Data

The Problem-Solving Aspect of Suicide

Explains suicidal behaviour as a final solution taken by those who feel powerless to do anything else. Hope is depleted by concentration upon problems & global feelings of hopelessness. While many suicides are manipulative cries for help, suicide would likely not be chosen if the person saw any other course of action as a possible […]

Teens Choose Death at “Epidemic” Rate

This newsclipping examines the increase of suicide among adolescents in Alberta, rising from 20 in 1972 to 58 in 1981. It then presents measures that the school boards are instituting for suicide prevention in its’ family-life program. The adolescents’ development of a positive self-concept is Emphasized in this amended program. (SC)

Thanatophilia

The Personal Emergency Advisory Service

An Analysis of “Night Calls” Received by a Personal Emergency (Telephone) Service

A 2-year’s experience of calls is researched, with particular attention on the content of after hours contact. The problems faced by a low-usage hotline in maintaining volunteers is noted. Very few suicide calls were received, none were critical. The basic recomendation is to locate the service in an existing 24-hour location. (LS)

Suicide and the Police Officer

Suicide in Chicago: a Preliminary Statistical and Attitudinal Survey

An initial review of suicide in Chicago reveals that it is a major public health problem. It is estimated that 3-5 times the number of people who are reported have actually met their death via suicide. The time of day, the day of the week, & the method reveal that people kill themselves on Monday, […]

Attempted Suicide

This article discusses considerations doctors and psychiatrists must note when evaluating the treatment a patient needs in the hospital after a suicide attempt. There is also discussion on whether a suicide attempt could have been prevented, as well as warning signs that can indicate the probability of additional or more serious suicide attempts in the […]

An Instrument for Evaluating Suicide Potential: A Preliminary Study

The study describes a clinical instrument for determining high-risk suicidal persons, made up largely of demographic variables. It also examines the test’s validity in prognostication subsequent suicidal behaviour. The test is a 14-point scale derived from data from police reports of attempted suicides in the San Francisco area. (16 ref)

The Iowa 500: Field Work in a 35-Year Follow-up of Depression, Mania and Schizophrenia

Broken Homes Among Attempted Suicides and Psychiatric Out-Patients: A Comparative Study

Incidence and Seasonal Variation of Suicide Mortality in Greece

The frequency of suicide in Greece by age, sex, urban-rural residence & seasonality based on data from National Statistical Service of Greece for the period 1959-75 was studied. Main findings showed: age-adjusted mortality from suicide in Greece is among the lowest in the world & is declining; suicide mortality is higher among men than women, […]

Suicide Prevention on Psychiatric Wards

Recognizing the Potential Suicide

Bennett sees the suicidal “impulse as coming from within” and, many attempts as not seeking death, “but relief from their intolerable predicament”. Among those with “depressive mental illness”, the need is to determine those at risk. He pinpoints several factors to focus upon ranging from the history of attempts to the involvement with alcohol or […]

Drugs and Suicide in the United States

Although the suicide rate has remained constant with population growth during recent years, the pattern of methods for suicide has changed markedly. The use of drugs for suicide has incresed disproportionately, while other means have fallen out of favor. The available data indicate that the increased suicide rate from drugs is not due to the […]

Suicidal Attempts in Adolescent Girls

Clinical study of 21 female adolescent suicide attempters, ages 14-17 & an examination of attempter’s family structure & parental personalities. Discussion of clinical findings, including that of self-image & paternal & maternal image. Paternal deprivation was noted as a reoccuring aspect in the history of subjects.

An Analysis of Suicide at a Training Center

A retrospective analysis is reported of 32 cases of suicide. 6 patients who were in psychotherapy at the time of suicide are described in detail. A psychodynamic formulation of the clinical data suggests that transference hostility & dependency provoked countertransference, counterhostility & rejecting behavior on the part of the therapist; the suicides followed significant rejections. […]

Suicidal Tendencies Among College Students