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Principles for Intervening With Suicide

Jonathan Sandoval
Sheava Zadeh
University of the Pacific

Abstract: Suicide transcends the boundaries of class, ethnicity, gender, and geographic location. During the 1980s youth suicide became a prominent problem in our society, and it has now reached alarming proportions. This paper reviews the dynamics of depression and suicide in late childhood and adolescence. Based on these dynamics, principles for intervening with students displaying suicidal ideation are enumerated. A protocol for a proactive response to students at risk for suicide is outlined and strategies for dealing with the aftermath of a suicide are enumerated. Ultimately, suicidal behavior is a problem that committed school psychologists in partnership with other school personnel and community-based professionals need to address.

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