Evaluating and Treating Adolescent Suicide Attempters: From Research to Practice

Evaluating and Treating Adolescent Suicide Attempters provides a comprehensive overview of the emotional, behavioral and cognitive characteristics of adolescents who have attempted suicide. Each chapter opens with a case study vignette from the author's extensive clinical files followed by a summary of the empirical literature. Assessment and treatment practices close each chapter. While suicide is the third largest killer of adolescents, most suicide attempts do not result in death. Therefore the treatment of the suicide attempter following the attempt becomes a significant part of the clinician's work with these adolescents. Moreover, the precursors and behavioral markers for a suicide attempt become important signals for the school counselor, youth worker, or therapist. This book also include assessment measures to use when evaluating an adolescent who has attempted suicide.

Includes an outline form of an assessment battery for adolescents who have attempted suicideAnalyzes and discusses treatment and case studiesPresents detailed descriptions of specific therapy techniques useful with adolescents who attempt suicideIncludes succinct reviews of the literature, ways to measure relevant factors related to suicidal behavior, tips for clinicians, and reviews of pertinent assessment measures

Understanding Attempted Suicide in Adolescence
Precursors to Adolescent Suicide Attempts
Predisposing Factors in Suicide Attempts: Life Stressors
Mood States: Depression. Anger. Anxiety
Cognitive Factors: Hopeless, Coping, and Problem-Solving
Behavioral Factors: Substance Use
Behavioral Factors: Impulsive and Aggressive Behavior
Social Factors: Family Functioning
Social Factors: Peer Relationship
Social Factors: Isolation and Loneliness versus Social Activity
High-Risk Populations
The Outcome of Suicide Attempts among Adolescents
Case Examples
Treatment of Adolescent Suicide
Working with Suicide Teens: Integrating Clinical Practical and Current Research