This volume seeks to answer the essential question, "How can clinicians identify patients who may be at risk for suicide and take the necessary steps to reduce that risk?" It provides a comprehensive review of current thinking and evidence-based practice in the field of suicidology, with particular emphasis upon medical intervention.
Great depth and breadth of information. For example, Part One (Assessment) covers the following topics: overview of suicide, recommended protocol, epidemiology, community approach, psychodynamic understanding of suicide, lethality assessment, neurobiology of suicidal behavior, profiles of completed suicides, murder-suicide, self-mutiliation, critical points in the assessment and management of suicide risk, etc. !) Part Two covers intervention and related diagnoses (trauma, bipolar do, borderline pdo, schizophrenia, lifetime suicide risk and affective disorders, etc.). Part Three covers special issues including children and adolescents, the elderly, contracting, suicide in medical settings, assessment in primary care settings, liability issues, and euthanasia/assisted suicide.
An important resource for all mental health professionals.