Suicide and Mental Health

Rudy Nydegger, PhD, is professor of management and psychology at the School of Management at Union Graduate College and in the Department of Psychology at Union College, Schenectady, NY.

• Series ForewordAcknowledgmentsIntroductionSection I: Overview and Background Information1 Suicide: What It Is and What It Is NotIntroductionDefinitionsMethods of Committing SuicideMyths about SuicideSummary2 Who Commits Suicide?: Historical and Statistical PerspectivesHistorical Factors in SuicideStatistics on SuicideOther Factors Related to SuicideThe Risks of Antidepressant MedicationsSuicide in the MilitarySummary3 Suicidality and Motivation: Ideation, Planning, Intention, and CommissionTerms and ConceptsMotives4 Risk Factors for SuicideMental IllnessMedical ProblemsSubstance Abuse and DependenceProblem GamblingFinancial/Professional ProblemsFamily/Relationship ProblemsTrauma and Extreme EventsSummary5 Prevention and Treatment for SuicidalityMethods and Sites of PreventionRisk AssessmentAssess ConditionTreatmentsSummarySection II: Contemporary Controversies and Issues6 Mental Health, Mental Illness, and SuicideIs Suicide "Crazy"?Suicide and TreatmentSummary7 Patient Rights and the Right to DieIntroductionThe Right to DieSome Other Ethical Issues in the Right to DieOther Right-to-Die IssuesSummary8 Roles of Family, Friends, Professionals, Society, and the LawRoles of Family and FriendsRoles of ProfessionalsLegal Issues in SuicideSummary9 Summary and ConclusionsSuicide—The BasicsHistorical, Cultural, and Religious PerspectiveMotives and Risk FactorsPrevention and Treatment of SuicidalityControversial IssuesSection III: Primary Documents"Mayo Clinic: Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts""Suicide by Profession: Lots of Confusion, Inconclusive Data""Exploring the Link between Suicide and TBI""Suicides"UCR Today—"Study Links Suicide Risk with Rates of Gun Ownership, Political Conservatism""About Teen Suicide""Suicide Facts at a Glance"TimelineGlossaryResourcesIndex

With an informative, comprehensive narrative, the book can serve as an excellent resource on suicide and suicide prevention for students and health care providers as well as patients and their families. Summing Up: Recommended. All undergraduate students, general readers, and health care professionals/practitioners.