Suicide

This chapter provides an overview of youth suicide, including an underlying theory, an analysis of risk and protective factors, and counseling approaches in schools. The first section presents recent statistics on adolescent suicide and gender and ethnic group differences. The theory section provides definition, nomenclature, cognitive-behavioral model of suicide, and typology for suicide and suicide-related behaviors. The risk and protective factors section discusses environmental and psychological risks in youth, medication effects, vulnerable groups at risk for suicide, and factors that buffer suicidal behaviors. The school counseling approaches section presents prevention and intervention for varying levels of suicidal needs, including primary prevention (e.g., assessment and school-wide programs), secondary intervention (e.g., crisis intervention and referral), and tertiary intervention (e.g., aftercare and postvention).