Therapeutic group approaches for issues related to suicide

Abstract

SCOPB 01' TllB PROBLBll suicide is a universal phenomenon. :It is the ninth leadinq cause of death in the United States (Beck, Brown, Berchick, Stewart & steer, 1990). The act of killinq oneself transcends differences in race, qender, aqe, economic status, and ethnic backqround, and the devastatinq consequences of suicide can ubiquitously impact any family, any community, and any society. Research studies indicate that adolescents and older adults represent the populations most at risk for suicidal behavior. The suicide rate amonq adolescents and children has increased by 300% over the last 30 years (Gilliland & James, 1988), and suicide is now the second leadinq cause of death in the United states for adolescents between the aqes of 11 and 24 (Capuzzi & Gross, 1988). These data do not include children who attempt suicide or who manifest self-destructive ideation. over 2s,ooo children under 12 are hospitalized annually because they are at risk for suicide (Stiles &