Tag
suicide
Articles tagged "suicide".
28 articles
Suicidal Behavior Among Psychologists: Prevalence, Drivers, and Recommended Action Steps
Suicide is a serious threat to public health, and healthcare professionals, including psychologists, are not immune to it. Few experiences are as shocking to psychologists as learning that one of their colleagues has died from suicide. The experience often leaves their patients feeling bewildered or traumatized (Kleespies et al., 2011). This article reviews the prevalence […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP + 2 more
May 12, 2026
Childhood Adversity and Suicide
What Childhood Events Are Especially Problematic? Suicidal patients often report adverse childhood events (O’Connor, 2021; Thompson & Kingree, 2022). Consequently, psychotherapists working with suicidal patients need to consider how these experiences impact their current functioning and how they contribute to their suicidality. Adverse childhood events could involve a wide range of serious and upsetting stressors […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP
May 6, 2026
Shame and Other Self-Devaluing Schemas in Suicidal Persons
Those who treat suicidal patients are often startled by the depth and intensity of the anger patients express toward themselves. When asked to list their reasons for wanting to die, many respondents listed negative self-appraisals, such as “I’m worthless, “I’m a piece of crap,” or “I don’t deserve to live” (Madsen & Harris, 2021, p. […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP
December 18, 2024
Treatment of Suicidality in Adolescents with a History of Concussions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents 15-19 years of age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024a). A concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a risk factor for suicide in adolescents as this type of injury can increase depressive […]
Kayela Malewitz, BA + 1 more
December 18, 2024
Suicide Prevention Takes a Village at Universities: Eight Key Strategies
Engaging in suicide prevention on university campuses requires a comprehensive approach that involves a variety of strategies and invested partners. Universities have the unique opportunity to cultivate a supportive environment that promotes mental health and provides effective interventions for those in crisis. This article discusses how universities can implement a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention […]
Layna Adams, MS + 2 more
November 20, 2024
Suicide Prevention Using Artificial Intelligence: Collaborative Support Approach
The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that suicide is a significant global health problem. In 2016, the suicide rate was estimated to be 10.6 per 100,000 individuals, with 80% of these cases occurring in low-income and middle-income countries (Fazel et al., 2020). Often, individuals at risk of suicide do not seek help from their clinicians […]
Caleb Onah, MS
October 14, 2024
The Psychotherapeutic Benefits of Informed Consent with Suicidal Patients
Informed consent has three dimensions: legal, ethical, and psychotherapeutic, and it is often considered a precursor to the intervention. However, there is no clear break between when the informed consent process ends and when psychotherapy begins because the informed consent process can also contain psychotherapeutic elements. By giving more attention to the psychotherapeutic aspects of […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP
September 15, 2024
A Brief Synopsis of The Third Part of the Suicide Prevention Triangle: Detailed Documentation
Effective patient suicide prevention is composed of three interrelated facets: assessment, intervention, and documentation. Examples of free assessments include the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS; available at http://cssrs.columbia.edu/) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) SAFE-T Suicide Assessment Five-step Evaluation and Triage (available at https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma09-4432.pdf). Two examples of suicide intervention programs are […]
Stewart E. Cooper, Ph.D., ABPP
September 13, 2024
Using Self-determination Theory to Inform Interventions for Suicidal Patients
Consider this example: A psychologist sought consultation because her patient was not responding adequately to treatment. The consultant asked her three questions: Have you built a connection with your patient? Does your patient feel a sense of control and engagement in psychotherapy? Is your patient building the skills to handle their emotions and life difficulties? […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP
April 5, 2024
When Should My Suicidal Patient Go to the Hospital?
At one time, hospitalization was considered the standard of care when working with patients with suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts. However, almost all suicidal patients can now be treated effectively as outpatients. Several outpatient interventions can substantially reduce the risk of a suicide attempt (see, for example, reviews by Jobes & Chalker, 2019; Nuij et […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP
January 18, 2024
The Role of Humility in Treating Suicidal Patients
Seasoned psychotherapists have all had the experience of sitting in a room with patients who have serious thoughts of killing themselves. Some may have already had a suicide attempt or multiple attempts and continue to have access to the means to kill themselves. They may feel like others would be better off if they were […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP
December 17, 2023
Education in Suicide Prevention Should Be Required in the Training of All Healthcare Psychologists
Over the last 20 years, the rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicides have rapidly increased in the United States (Garnett & Curtin, 2023). At the same time, evidence has developed that interventions can effectively reduce the risk of suicide (Calati et al., 2018). Given these changes, it is time for APA to require […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP + 1 more
November 22, 2023