Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 9:00AM
Why People Die by Suicide
In his new theory of suicidal behaviour, Thomas Joiner, PhD proposes three factors that mark those most at risk for suicide: the feeling of being a burden on loved ones; the sense of isolation; and, perhaps chillingly, the learned ability to hurt oneself. He tests the theory against diverse facts taken from clinical anecdotes, history, literature, popular culture, anthropology, epidemiology, genetics, and neurobiology - - facts about suicide rates among men and women; white and African-American men; individuals with anorexia, athletes, sex workers, and physicians; members of cults, sports fans, and citizens of nations in crisis.
Learning Objectives:
- To review basic facts about the epidemiology and risk factors for death by suicide
- To learn about a new theory of suicidal behavior
- To learn about anecdotal, clinical, and scientific evidence that evaluates this new theory
- To learn about approaches to suicide risk assessment
- To learn about developments in the treatment of suicidal behavior
- To learn about developments in suicide prevention
- To understand the experience of people who are bereaved by suicide