Understanding Suicide: A Guide for Families and Professionals

Over a million people commit suicide every year, making it the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. For this reason and many others besides, an understanding of the act is vital, especially for professionals working with depression and mental health problems. This books sensitively and intelligently covers issues associated with suicide, seeking to facilitate understanding and enable effective communication with those who may be considering it. Beginning with a chapter on genetics and suicide, the book explores how the decision to take your own life can come about. It goes on to discuss classifying suicide, suicidal ideas, and myths surrounding the act, clarifying what is true, and what is often nothing more than ill-informed rumour. Bullying and protective factors are also discussed, and groups at risk of suicide are identified. The book concludes with a practical guide for the evaluation of suicidal risk, appealing to both parents and professionals, and the final chapter deals with the bereavement that so often follows. This book will be essential reading for anybody who has come into contact with suicide, and will be particularly useful for those working with depressed patients in need of guidance.