Ultimate Rejection: Helping the Survivors of Teen Suicide Victims (From Adolescent Suicide, P 171-172, 1988, Robert W. Cole, Jr., ed. -- See NCJ-117025)

• NCJ Number: 117036
• Author(s): A Ojanlatva; A M Hammer; M G Mohr
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 2 pages
• Sale Source: Phi Delta Kappa
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from Journal of School Health, May 1987, V 57, No. 5

Annotation

Policies and procedures that concern youth suicide should include post-suicide intervention activities to help the survivors.

Abstract

Each year, teenagers who commit suicide leave behind more than 25,000 survivors. The survivors experience feelings of depression, anger, and guilt. They must also cope with societal attitudes toward suicide. However, few resources are available to deal with the emotional effects on survivors. Nevertheless, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers in many cities have developed supportive and therapeutic programs for survivors of suicide victims. Programs should cover four areas: communication, an action plan for staff, work with students, and responses to parents. Each school should assess its resources in establishing policies and procedures that have been reviewed by their legal consultants. In addition, health and educational professionals must understand the scope of the problem, become knowledgeable in suicidology and the grief process, support community education and awareness, and lobby for improved school and community education as well as supportive facilities. List of guidelines and 8 references.