Showing papers in "Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior in 1971"

Perturbation and Lethality as Precursors of Suicide in a Gifted Group

Abstract: Thirty cases, for whom longitudinal personality data were available from 1921 to 1960, were analyzed. All the cases were Caucasian males with high I.Q.'s. Five individuals had committed suicide (all by gunshot), 10 (matched) individuals had died natural deaths from cancer or heart disease, and 15 were still living. A blind clinical analysis was conducted primarily in terms of two guiding concepts, perturbation and lethality, by means of a Meyerian “life chart” and a “psychological autopsy,” respectively. The results indicated that four of the five cases deemed to be most suicidal had, in fact, committed suicide—a chance probability of 1 out of 1,131. The prodromal clues—instability, trauma, and personality controls—are discussed. The role of the “significant other” and the “burning-out” of affect seem to be paramount. Suicide is seen as a discernible part of a life style and as a predictable outcome, in a person of 50, by the time that individual is 30 years old.

War and Suicide

Abstract: The suicide rate generally appears to decline during the time of war. The traditional psychodynamic explanation that this decrease results from the legitimization of outward aggression is questioned. World War II evidence from both occupied and neutral countries, together with fluctuations of the suicide rates among the Scandinavian countries, are better understood as reflecting the social conditions of wartime, rather than the presence of actual fighting. These data, and others, point to the hypothesis that the decreased suicide rate during wartime is tied to the greater social integration–increased patriotism, ease of promotions, greater sense of purpose, and so forth–resulting from a state of war.

Evaluation of a Suicide Prevention Center by Sampling the Population at Risk

Abstract: At present there are no clear guidelines for assessing the effectiveness of suicide prevention and crisis centers. This report focuses on one readily available source of data, specifically that segment of the population at risk made up of persons admitted to the inpatient service of a mental health center due to depressive and/or suicidal states, including suicide attempts. To determine the role of the suicide prevention center in providing services to this group, 575 persons meeting these criteria were interviewed. The findings included the following: (a) 11 percent had utilized suicide prevention center services, with 59 percent of these experiencing substantial benefit; (b) 20 percent stated they were unaware of the center; (c) 8 percent expressed the view that calling the center would be inappropriate because a suicide attempt was not imminent; and (d) 26 percent indicated an inclination to call the center in the event of subsequent difficulties. Experience suggests that response to a crisis (intervention) as well as response to low lethality callers with “everyday problems” (prevention) constitute valid functions of a suicide prevention and crisis center. Preoccupation with short-term goals, such as reducing the apparent suicide rate, should not dominate the conceptualizing of program evaluation methods.

Firearms and Their Role in Homicide and Suicide

Abstract: Various arguments against firearms from the standpoint of their role in homicide and suicide are discussed. It is contended by some that murderers are law-abiding citizens who get into trouble because of the availability of firearms. A study in Detroit indicated that both murderers and suicidal persons are prone to misuse the firearm as they would misuse any potential instrument of destruction, independent of gun control measures. If the Second Amendment to the Constitution is to be used by those favoring the right to bear arms, the argument must involve an incorporation of an inherent responsibility toward the use of the firearm; that people wanting to use them should be able to accept reasonable rules and personality qualification as a factor in having the right to obtain them. More effective education and screening of the overly aggressive person or the self-destructive individual are suggested, in terms of school mental health programs, screening at the police precinct level, gun permit application level, and through effective suicide prevention and crisis centers.

Can Organ Transplantation Provide an Altruistic‐Expiatory Alternative to Suicide?*

Abstract: The question posed by this article is whether or not an individual who wants to take all of his life would be assuaged by being asked to donate only an organ (e.g., a kidney). Tying in with ancient sacrificial rites, the hypothesis is offered that the giving of parts of oneself, including blood, can serve as an altruistic-expiatory alternative to suicide, thus avoiding the twin tragedies of healthy people who want to kill themselves and sick people who, for lack of a single vital organ, have to die.