Collings, S. & Beautrais, A. (2005). Suicide Prevention in New Zealand: A Contemporary Perspective. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Presents a number of useful frameworks within which to understand suicide prevention (e.g., social epidemiology and biopsychosocial approach to medicine). The report provides a useful critique of individualism and its impact upon suicide studies, and presents alongside this the history and theories of suicide. The report proposed a number of prevention programmes and outlines an understanding of risk intervention and assessment.
Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care (2000). Learnings about suicide, LIFE: A framework for prevention of suicide and self-harm in Australia. Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.
Pays particular attention to the importance of understanding how social and emotional/psychological factors interact. Proposes that suicidal behaviour and thoughts result from a disjuncture between multiple stressors and ability to cope (resilience). Outlines some of the key methods, causes and at risk populations for suicide. Illustrates these with simple models of causation.
* Duffy, David & Ryan, Tony (Eds) (2004). New approaches to preventing suicide: A manual for practitioners. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
"Written by front line professionals in the fields of nursing, mental health, prison services and the law, this text is an essential companion to the [British] government's new suicide prevention strategy. The contributors offer a wealth of practical guidance on issues such as risk assessment and management in a range of settings, policy and the legal framework around suicide."
Goldney, Robert D. (2002). "A global view of suicide" Emergency Medicine, 14, pp 24-34.
An overview paper that gives global comparisons of statistics and risk factors. It suggests individual approaches to management of those at risk.
Lieberman, Lisa (2003). Leaving you: The cultural meaning of suicide. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee.
Lisa Lieberman explores the puzzle of our reigning perceptions of suicide. Drawing from diverse sources, from biblical stories to Romantic novels, from philosophical theories to psychiatric diagnoses, along with contemporary memoirs of suicidal depression, she finds that the idea of suicide as an act of protest has pervaded Western attitudes toward self-destruction – yet our contemporary way of thinking attempts to deny suicide’s disruptive potential by depriving the act of its defiance.
Williams, M. (1997). Cry of pain: Understanding suicide and self-harm. London: Penguin.
Focuses on the subjective meanings of suicide and the impact that suicide has on those who are bereaved by suicide. Also addresses issues of relevance to practitioners, such as suicide in remote and rural communities and the relationship between suicide and media representation.
Hassan, R. (1995). Suicide Explained: The Australian Experience. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.
A concise, readable overview of the history of sociological studies of suicide, which also elaborates the medical and psychological approaches. Outlines Durkheim’s critique of individualistic/asocial understandings of suicide, and summarises the individual/social nexus as it shapes suicide in Western cultures. Provides extensive analyses of Australian suicide data and elaborates on the aetiology of suicide.
Heyd, David & Bloch, Sidney (1999). "The ethics of suicide" In S. Bloch, P. Chodoff, & S.A. Green (Eds). Psychiatric ethics 3rd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press Inc.
Discusses the particular ethical problems psychiatrists face when treating suicidal patients, in particular the conflict between 'sanctity of life' and the patient's wishes. Covers historical development of attitudes to suicide and definitions. Using a series of case studies the chapter explores the implications of intervention or non-intervention.
* Bloch, Sidney & Singh, Bruce (1997). Understanding troubled minds: A guide to mental illness and its treatment. Victoria, Australia: Melbourne University Press.
"Understanding troubled minds guides us calmly and authoritatively through the full range of specific mental illnesses and available treatments. It deals with particular patterns of illness in women, children and the elderly. It stresses the value of partnerships between psychiatrists, patients and their families. And it places this knowledge within the framework of modern psychiatry – from the history of the profession to just what it is that psychiatrists and fellow health-workers do."
* Cowling, Vicki (1999). Children of parents with mental illness. Melbourne: The Australian Council for Education Research Ltd.
"This book is a groundbreaking study into the frequently overlooked impact on children whose parents have a mental illness. By fusing a theoretical basis with first-hand experiences from parents and adult children, the book forms an invaluable guide for practitioners."
* MacFarlane, Malcolm M. (Ed) (2001). Family therapy and mental health: Innovations in theory and practice. New York: The Haworth Clinical Practice Press.
"[This book] explores the application of family therapy approaches to the treatment of a variety of mental health problems. This valuable book shows how family therapy techniques can be used to address the needs of patients and their families dealing with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, suicide, and addictions."
Collings, S. & Beautrais, A. (2005). Suicide Prevention in New Zealand: A Contemporary Perspective. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Presents a number of useful frameworks within which to understand suicide prevention (e.g., social epidemiology and biopsychosocial approach to medicine). The report provides a useful critique of individualism and its impact upon suicide studies, and presents alongside this the history and theories of suicide. The report proposes a number of prevention programmes and outlines an understanding of risk intervention and assessment.
Engel, G.E. (1977, April 8). "The Need for a New Medical Model: A Challenge for Biomedicine." Science, 196, pp. 129-136.
Engel outlines the biopsychosocial approach for use within medicine. This approach is a counter to biomedical accounts which most often do not pay sufficient attention to the relational and psychical aspects of disease, the outcome being that patient involvement in the treatment of illness is discounted, and thus some of the potential psychosocial causes of illness may be ignored. A biopsychosocial model emphasises the historical and cultural specificity of the concept of disease/health/illness. Disease may be understood as a metaphor for imbalance or injustice rather than as biological fact per se.
Hassan, R. (1996). Social Factors in Suicide. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, Paper 52. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology.
Provides a concise summary of causes and factors of suicide in Australia, and links this to the economic, social and individual outcomes of suicide.
Pescosolido, B.A. & Mendelsohn, R. (1986). "Social Causation or Social Construction of Suicide? An Investigation into the Social Organization of Official Rates." American Sociological Review, 51, pp. 80-100.
Explores some of the implications for sociological studies of suicide in the light of methodological and conceptual problems in regards to the recording of suicide rates. Suggests that some of the influences upon the accuracy of suicide rates include particular definitions of suicide and the role that particular officials play in determining the cause of death, which vary according to location.
Pfaff, J.J., Acres, J.G. & McKelvey, R.S. (2001). "Training General Practitioners to Recognise and Respond to Psychological Distress and Suicidal Ideation in Young People." Medical Journal of Australia, 174, pp. 222-226.
Research highlights the importance of a biopsychosocial approach in that a focus on the presenting issue of physical pain may fail to pay attention to psychological distress that may lead to suicide. Due to often non-disclosure of suicidal thoughts, GPs may consider the consultation as an opportunity to enquire about such thoughts in the context of general well being. Suggests importance of developing referral procedures and brief assessment tools based on key characteristics.
O’Carroll, P.W., Berman, A.L., Maris, R., Moscicki, E., Tanney, B. & Silverman, M. (1998). "Beyond the Tower of Babel: A Nomenclature for Suicidology". In R.K. Kosky, H.S. Eshkevari, R.D. Goldney & R. Hassan (Eds.) Suicide Prevention: The Global Context. New York: Plenum Press.
Provides a succinct overview of the issues and problems involved in defining suicide, and the implications of this for practitioners, coroners and researchers. Proposes a clear set of terms for understanding suicide and suicidal behaviour.
* Levenkron, Steven (1998). Cutting:Understanding and overcoming self-mutilation. New York/London: W.W. Norton & Co.
"Cutting takes the reader through the psychological experience of the person who seeks relief from mental anguish in self-inflicted physical pain … Written for self-mutilators, parents, friends and therapists, this book explains why the disorder manifests in self-harming behaviours and, most of all, describes how self-mutilators can be helped."
* Miller, Dusty (1994). Women who hurt themselves: A book of hope and understanding. New York: Basic Books.
"Filled with moving stories, this powerful and compassionate book is the first to focus on women who harm themselves through self-mutilation, compulsive cosmetic surgeries, eating disorders, and other forms of chronic injury to the body."
Steenkamp, Malinda & Harrison, James (2000). Suicide and hospitalised self-harm in Australia. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
http://www.nisu.flinders.edu.au/pubs/reports/2001/suicide_injcat30.pdf
"This is a statistical report on suicide and hospitalised self harm in Australia. It provides the latest data available including data on age and sex distribution and methods used, and presents trends for suicide deaths. The report also includes information on suicide amongst Indigenous Australians and describes the shortcomings of the data and the implications for interpreting the data.
It will be relevant to those interested in data on suicide or those working in the field, including community practitioners, health planners and administrators, academic researchers and the public."
General
* Corey, Gerald (2001). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy 6th Edition. USA: Brooks/Cole.
"…gives you a solid understanding of ten contemporary theories in counselling and psychotherapy [and] also helps you select wisely from among them to develop an integrative counseling style."
* Crossley, Michele L. (2000). Introducing narrative psychology: Self, trauma and the construction of meaning. Buckingham: Open University Press.
"This introductory textbook presents a coherent overview of the theory, methodology and potential application of narrative psychological approaches. It compares narrative psychology with other social constructionist approaches and argues that the experience of self only takes on meaning through specific linguistic, historic and social structures."
Cognitive behaviour therapy
* Beck, Aaron T. (1989). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. New York: Penguin.
"This classic describes the cognitive approach to psychopathology and psychotherapy and how to apply it".
* Beck, Judith S. (1995). Cognitive therapy: Basics and beyond. New York: The Guilford Press.
"Judith Beck has written an uncommonly useful text both for therapists who want to learn about the concepts and procedures of cognitive therapy as well as for those involved in clinical teaching and supervision."
* Dobson, Keith S. (Ed) (2001). Handbook of cognitive-behavioural therapies 2nd Edition. New York: The Guilford Press.
"This authoritative volume brings together established experts to review the theories, research, and treatment methodologies associated with the major cognitive-behavioural models … The goal is to provide a solid conceptual framework within which the clinician can make informed choices about which interventions to choose and apply with individual clients."
* Kingdon, David & Turkington, Douglas (Eds) (2002). The case study guide to cognitive behaviour therapy of psychosis. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.
"There is a brief description of therapeutic methods at the start followed by the collection of case studies. At the end, a training, supervision and implementation section enables practitioners to move from contemplation to adoption of these remarkable developments in their own practice and service."
Interpersonal psychotherapy
* Stuart, Scott & Robertson, Michael (2003). Interpersonal psychotherapy: A clinician's guide. London: Arnold.
"This book highlights common clinical issues and covers an extensive range of interpersonal problems and psychopathology to which [Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)] is applicable. It draws on theoretical and research aspects in order to inform the therapist's clinical choices in conducting IPT and other focal and structured psychotherapies in general."
* Weissman, Myrna M., Markowitz, John C. & Klerman, Gerald L. (2000). Comprehensive guide to interpersonal psychotherapy. USA: Basic Books.
"[This text] covers the field comprehensively, and the jargon-free prose is a pleasure to read. It has the advantage of being simultaneously accessible to the beginning student and sufficiently advanced to be of interest to the experienced clinician."
Family therapy
*Bloch, Sidney & Kissane, David W. (2002). Family focused grief therapy. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Family focused grief therapy is an approach which is new, preventive, cost effective and with proven benefits to bereaved people… the book has been designed rather like a therapy manual, providing a step-by-step approach to assessment and intervention."
* Denborough, David (Ed) (2001). Family therapy: Exploring the field's past, present and possible futures. Adelaide: Dulwich Centre Publications.
"In these personal and thoughtful interviews, influential family therapists from different parts of the world invite the reader into their worldview and the history that has shaped it."
Narrative therapy
* Monk, Gerald, Winslade, John, Crocket, Kathie & Epston, David (Eds) (1997). Narrative therapy in practice: The archaeology of hope. San Francisco: Wiley-Bass.
"In this clearly written book, the focus is not on 'experts' solving problems, it is on people becoming 'consultants to themselves' and dissolving their problems by discovering in dialogue, the new and better, but previously unrecognized possibilities they already contain within themselves."
* Morgan, Alice (2000). What is narrative therapy? An easy-to-read introduction. Adelaide: Dulwich Centre Publications.
"What is narrative therapy? This easy-to-read introduction seeks to answer this question through the use of accessible language, a concise structure and a wide range of practical examples."
* White, Cheryl & Denborough, David (Eds) (1998). Introducing narrative therapy: A collection of practice-based writings. Adelaide: Dulwich Centre Publications.
"Within [this book] we have gathered together a diversity of accessible, engaging, practice-based papers, which all received enthusiastic feedback when they were first published."
Brown, G.S., Jones, E.R., Betts, E & Jingyang, W. (2003). "Improving suicide risk assessment in a managed-care environment". Crisis, 24, pp. 49-55.
An informative paper that discusses the important role that patient assessment of suicide risk may play in clinician’s assessment and management of risk. Outlines some of the important legal and social contexts within which risk is currently managed, and provides an example of one way in which risk assessment is being managed within the US.
* Duffy, David & Ryan, Tony (Eds) (2004) New approaches to preventing suicide: A manual for practitioners. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
"Written by front line professionals in the fields of nursing, mental health, prison services and the law, this text is an essential companion to the [British] government's new suicide prevention strategy. The contributors offer a wealth of practical guidance on issues such as risk assessment and management in a range of settings, policy and the legal framework around suicide."
Packman, W.L., O’Connor Pennuto, J.D., Bongar, B. & Orthwein, J. (2004). "Legal issues of professional negligence in suicide cases". Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 22, pp. 697-713.
Excellent paper that outlines the types of litigation that may be brought against health care professionals in regards to suicide. Provides case examples and summarises the important role that documentation plays in mitigating against legal action.
Simon, R.I. (2000). "Taking the ‘sue’ outside of suicide: A forensic psychiatrist’s perspective". Psychiatric Annals, 30, pp. 399-407.
Clearly outlines how risk assessment may be used to mitigate against litigation. Outlines the concept of foreseeability, and how it may be used to understand the extent to which clinician’s may be liable. Draws attention to the importance of documenting risk assessment and the need to recognise the changing status of suicide risk and the possible existence of risk without client awareness.
Blood, R.W., Putnis, P., Pirkis, J., Payne, T. & Francis, C. (2001). "Monitoring media coverage of suicide: Theory and methodology". Australian Journalism Review, 23, pp. 57-80.
Summarises much of the existing research on media influence on suicide and examines how a number of media accounts report suicide. Questions the notion of the ‘Werther Effect’, by investigating the multiple ways in which the media is received and understood. Challenges us to examine the notion of ‘copy-catting’ and suggests that it is important to further research on the Internet and suicide. Outlines how the media frames issues in particular ways and thus draws attention to or problematises particular actions.
Coyle, J. & MacWhannell, D. (2002). "The importance of ‘morality’ in the social construction of suicide in Scottish newspapers". Sociology of Health and Illness, 24, pp. 689-713.
Examines how suicide is represented within the news media. Explores the implications of particular moral accounts of suicide in regards to motivation and accountability which are useful for understanding how suicide is represented within society more broadly.
Pirkis, J. & Blood, R.W. (2001). Suicide and the media: A critical review. Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.
A very useful and highly informative review of the literature on the relationship between media representations of suicide and suicide behaviours themselves. Ties in with the mindframe website for use by those working in the media, and suggests productive ways for representing and reporting suicide.
Cottler, L. B., Campbell, W., Krishna, V.A.S., Cunningham-Williams, R.M. & Abdallah, A.B. (2005). "Predictors of high rates of suicidal ideation among drug users". Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders, 193, pp. 431-437.
Outlines the role that drug use plays in suicide ideation. Usefully does not focus on mental health as a correlate, and explores the gender specificity of the relation between drug use and suicide ideation. Explores the role that the depressive affect of alcohol may play in suicide ideation, and suggests that the early detection of intersections of drug use and suicide may lead to earlier treatment of suicide risk.
Dhossche, D.M. (2003). "Toxicology of suicide: Touchstone for suicide prevention?". Medical Science Monitor, 9, pp. SR9-19.
Examines the complex role of alcohol and drugs in suicide – suggests that whilst alcohol and drugs may often not be the means to suicide, they can often leave people vulnerable to suicide.
Rivara, F.P., Mueller, B.A., Somes, G., Mendoza, C.T., Rushforth, N. & Kellerman, A.L. (1996). "Alcohol and illicit drug abuse and the risk of violence death in the home". Journal of the American Medical Association, 278, pp. 569-575.
Outlines the extreme increase in risk for suicide within the home that results from alcohol and drug use. Suggests that this may be mediated by whether a person lives alone or with other people, but that those living with those who use alcohol and drugs may also be at increased risk not only for addiction themselves, but also interpersonal violence. Suggests that primary carers have an important role in identifying these factors and points towards the gendered nature of alcohol and drug use.
Wilcox, H.C., Conner, K.R. & Caine, E.D. (2004). "Association of alcohol and drug use disorders and completed suicide: An empirical review of cohort studies". Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 76S, pp. s11-s19.
Briefly summarises the results from across a large number of studies of the effects of drug and alcohol use on suicide behaviour. Suggests the important of recognising the gender specificities of this relationship, and also confirms the need for a better understanding of how multiple types of substance use interact within one another and broader social factors to result in suicide.
Conner, K.R., Cerulli, C., Caine, E.D. (2002). "Threatened and attempted suicide by partner-violent male respondents petitioned to family violence court". Violence and Victims, 17, pp. 115-125.
Examines the relationship between attempted or threatened suicide and levels of violence among men. Suggests that appearances in court often precipitate suicide behaviours that perpetuate violence against others.
Dawson, M. (2005). "Intimate femicide followed by suicide: Examining the role of premeditation". Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 35, pp. 76-89.
Suggests two types of murder-suicide: 1) where the suicide is the response to guilt or fear over murder, and 2) where murder is planned before suicide in order to prevent spouse living after suicide. Outlines a number of premeditative indicators that may be useful for assessing risk of this form.
Pratt, R., Burman, E. and Chantler, K. (2004). "Towards understanding domestic violence: reflections on research and the 'domestic violence and minoritisation' project". Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 14, pp. 33-43.
Outlines some of the important interpretive frameworks for understanding domestic violence, and summarises the importance of understanding the role of power in the perpetuation of violent and abusive relationships.
Ullman, S.E. (2004). "Sexual assault victimization and suicidal behaviour in women: A review of the literature". Aggression and Violent Behavior, 9, pp. 331-351.
Summarises the literature on the relationships between sexual abuse, mental health issues and suicide. Suggests that it is important to examine the shifts in gendered violence in Western societies, and the implications of this for suicide prevention, particularly for women. Proposes that a focus on ‘life meaning’ may be a potential buffer against suicide for those who have experienced sexual abuse.
Baume, P., Rolfe, A. & Clinton, M. (1998). "Suicide on the internet: A focus for nursing intervention?". Australian and New Zealand Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 7, pp. 134-141.
Outlines some of the differing types of websites on suicide, including: 1) government and private prevention sites, 2) Tribute sites to people (particularly celebrities) who have suicided, 3) mailing lists and chat rooms, where people often talk about their suicide thoughts or behaviours, 4) online suicide notes, written by those who have suicided or attempted suicide. Suggests that those working as health professionals may be well placed to get involved in prevention work in these spaces. Examines the complex ways in which the internet may create spaces for people to talk about their feelings, but the (somewhat) public nature of it may lead people to feel committed to following through with statements of suicide intent.
Becker, K. & Schmidt, M.H. (2004). "Internet chat rooms and suicide". Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43, pp. 246-247.
Outlines some of the pros and cons of online suicide chat rooms, the former including possibility for support and relief from suicidal feelings, the latter including discussions of reliable methods and the promotion of suicide as a ‘problem-solving strategy’. Demonstrates the potential problems for using the Internet during crisis or when at high risk, and suggests that the Internet may promote the ‘Werther effect’ even more so than print media.
Rajagopal, S. (2005). "Suicide pacts and the internet". British Medical Journal, 329, pp. 1298-1299.
Briefly describes a seemingly new phenomenon of group suicide pacts being organised and carried out through the Internet. As opposed to such pacts made offline, which are usually between people who are very close or who are associated with extremist religions, these online suicide pacts seem to be between strangers.
Atran, S. (2003). "Genesis of suicide terrorism". Science, 299, pp. 1534-1539.
Demonstrates the contingency of the term ‘terrorism’, and the relation between political oppression and resistance. Questions how moral judgements around ‘suicide terrorism’ are used to justify violent responses, and addresses the assumption that those who resist or protest in this way demonstrate psychopathology or defective personality traits. It explores some of the motivations that may inform suicide terrorism, and demonstrates that the values or social location of the people involved are not necessarily atypical from the broader culture.
Merari, A. (2005). "Suicide terrorism”. In R.I. Yufit & D. Lester (Eds) Assessment, treatment, and prevention of suicidal behaviour. New Jersey: John Wiley.
Provides summaries of the profiles of those engaged in suicide terrorism. Outlines how current theories of suicide may not be very useful in understanding suicide terrorism. Suggests that suicide terrorism is not about vendetta or fanaticism. States that suicide terrorism results not from personal loss of hope or despair, but from a social contract that centres around: 1) indoctrination, 2) group commitment, and 3) personal/public commitment to the act.
McArthur, Morag, Camilleri, Peter & Webb, Honey (1999). "Strategies for managing suicide and self-harm in prisons". Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice Series No. 125. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology.
Reports on a review of current research (Australian and international) into causes and predictability of suicide in prisons. The paper gives a summary of current issues and strategies for Australian prisons.
Dalton, Vicki (1999). "Suicide in prison 1980 to 1998: National overview" Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice Series No. 126. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology.
Gives a statistical breakdown of deaths by suicide in prison from 19 years' data from the Australian Institute of Criminology's data base.
Barnett, R.C., Brennan, R.T. & Gareis, K.C. (1999). "A closer look at the measurement of burnout". Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 4, pp. 65-78.
Outlines the 3 factors involved in burnout (emotional exhaustion, lack of professional efficacy and cynicism) and explores how those in the health care professions are at high risk for burnout. Lists the stress factors for health care professionals that may lead to burnout and discusses some of the outcomes that may arise (increased use of alcohol and drugs, relationship breakdown, mental health problems). Proposes a reformulation of existing measures of burnout.
Dewar, Ian, Eagles, John, Klein, Susan, Gray, Nicola & Alexander, David (2000). "Psychiatric trainees' experiences of, and reactions to, patient suicide" Psychiatric Bulletin, 24, pp 20-23
http://pb.rcpsych.org/cgi/reprint/24/1/20
A short paper describing the findings of a UK survey. The findings suggest that the suicide of a patient can have adverse effects of trainee doctors' personal and professional lives.
Fox, R. & Cooper, M. (1998). "The effects of suicide on the private practitioner: A professional and personal perspective". Clinical Social Work Journal, 26, pp. 143-157.
Outlines the importance of speaking out about taboo subjects (such as feelings of not coping) among physicians. Outlines how guilt and shame may result from a patient suicide, and how the mindset of ‘protecting’ clients may not actually assist either clients or practitioners. Identifies a fourth factor in burnout (lack of social support), and suggests that high, unrealistic self expectations leads to burnout. Suggests that practitioners may experience vicarious traumatisation as a result of patient suicide. Outlines some steps that may be useful for dealing with the loss of a client, and highlights the importance of both support and a focus on positive factors (such as achievements and successes).
Frank, E. & Dingle, A.D. (1999). "Self-reported depression and suicide attempts among US women physicians". American Journal of Psychiatry, 156, pp. 1887-1894.
Gender differences in suicide behaviour among physicians: female physicians may have higher rates than the general population of females, whilst men may be relatively the same. Lists some of the factors that may underlie this phenomenon, and highlights the role that increased access to lethal means may play.
Goldie, J.G.S. (2004). "The detrimental ethical shift towards cynicism: Can medical educators help prevent it?". Medical Education, 38, pp. 232-238.
Identifies the need for practitioners to recognise the moral factors that underpin ethical decision making, particularly in the context of increased litigation and managed care. Explores how concerns over costs and economics may overshadow both client and practitioner risk for suicide. Suggests the need to explore how power operates in medical training, and the need for a transformative learning approach that focuses on reflexivity.
Gross, C.P., Mead, L.A., Ford, D.E. & Klag, M.J. (2000). "Physician, heal thyself? Regular source of care and use of preventive health services among physicians". Archives of Internal Medicine, 160, pp. 3209-3214.
Emphasises that because a physician’s own health care practices will impact upon how their client views health care, it is important that we understand how physicians manage their own care. Found that a high proportion of physicians do not take advantage of a regular source of care, nor access preventive measures.
Gundersen, L. (2001). "Physician burnout". Annals of Internal Medicine, 1135, pp. 145-148.
Suggests that self-care is not a part of medical training. Suggests that this may result in physicians denying their own emotions, in order to maintain control. What is required is increased social supports, resources and degree of control. Outlines the stressors that may lead to burnout, including the increased demand for documentation and other forms of paper work. Suggests that there is a code of silence where physicians may not report on or confront other physicians who are not coping.
McLeod, M.E. (2003). "The caring physician: A journey in self-exploration and self-care". The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 98, pp. 2135-2138.
Highlights the contrast between a caring physician (one who looks after themselves as well as others) and a traditional physician (one who may fail to examine their own needs and problems). Outlines how reflexivity is not taught in training, and what this may lead to, and explores some of the stressors that may lead to burnout. Demonstrates the importance of pre-emptive work (eg support groups) and the need for physicians to make conscious change in their work style.
Pietila, M. (2002). "Support groups: A psychological or social device for suicide bereavement?". British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 30, pp. 401-414.
Excellent article highlighting the cultural and moral specificity of how we grieve. Suggests that particular types of grieving are normalised or promoted, and that other forms are disavowed. This is particularly applicable to how practitioners may feel able to grieve, and the gender specificity of which types of grieving are publicly possible. Suggests that there is a gap between the utility of support groups as a shared space of understood meaning, and the prohibition of certain types of public grief.
Torre, D.M., Wang, N., Meoni, L.A., Hunter Young, J., Klag, M.J. & Ford, D.E. (2005). "Suicide compared to other causes of mortality in physicians". Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 35, pp. 146-153.
Findings suggest that physicians have a lower rate of mortality than the general population, but a higher rate of suicide, but that this is gender specific. Suggests that this may partly result from higher access to more lethal means.
Mitchell, J. (1999). From telehealth to e-health: The unstoppable rise of e-Health. Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.
http://archive.dcita.gov.au/1999/09/rise
Useful summary of the development of e-health in Australia and the importance of this for providing health support to diverse and widely located communities.
Procter, Nicholas (2005). Beyond Words: Lessons on translation, trust and meaning. Aust. Govt. Dept. of health and Aging, under the National Mental Health Strategy.
http://www.mmha.org.au/find/resources/library/beyondwords
A valuable resource that provides a model for delivery on promoting mental health issues and learning from culturally diverse communities. It is based on the successful “No more ‘mualagh” project which worked with the Afghani community to help Afghani people living in rural Australia learn more about depression, how it is treated and how to safely use medicine their doctors prescribe them.
Quinn, K. (2003). "Rural suicide and same-sex attracted youth: Issues, interventions and implications for rural counsellors". International Electronic Journal of Rural and Remote Health Research, Education, Practice and Policy, 3, pp. 1-6.
Outlines how living in remote locations impacts upon same-sex attracted youth. Considers issues that arise from lack of access to resources, mistrust of health care professionals in regards to anonymity and confidentiality, and availability of information about safer sex. The paper proposes that the internet may be an important tool for accessing information and support, but that this will obviously be mediated by the cost and availability of internet access, and also the issues of privacy and familial support involved.
Rajkumar, S. & Hoolahan, B. (2004). "Remoteness and issues in mental health care: Experience from rural Australia". Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale, 13, pp. 78-82.
Explores the issues that arise for accessing services for those in remote communities. Pays particular attention to the ways in which race and class intersect in remote communities, and outlines some of the specific issues that face those living in remote areas that may lead to suicide. Explores how issues, risk and crises may be compounded in remote communities, with little attendant access to multiple types of health service. Suggests that higher rates of suicide in remote areas also results from the changing face/success of farms in regards to economics.
Burman, E., Chantler, K. & Batsleer, J. (2002). "Service responses to South Asian women who attempt suicide or self-harm: Challenges for service commissioning and delivery". Critical Social Policy, 22, pp. 641-668.
Excellent paper that outlines how gender, race and racism impact upon service provision to at risk South Asian women living in Manchester, UK. The paper draws attention to the need for examining intersections of race and gender, and outlines how this often results in ‘functional neglect’ within the health care system. The paper challenges the assumption that ‘minority women’ should be cared for solely by ‘minority women’, thus questioning the marginalisation of certain cultural groups within the health care system. This focus on culture also demonstrates how abuse is often ignored when it is attributed to ‘cultural difference’. Usefully outlines the difference between ‘normalised absence’ and ‘pathologised presence’ in the representation of non-white people in health care services. Suggests that we need to further examine how the dominance of white health care models (which see culture as an ‘add-on’) fails to meet the needs of minority group members: thus need to examine the normative status of whiteness in health care.
Burvill, P.W. (1995). "Suicide in the multiethnic elderly population in Australia, 1979-1990". International Psychogeriatrics, 7, pp. 319-333.
Outlines the relationship that may exist in relation to immigrant suicide as resulting from conflicts between traditional sociocultural values and those promoted in the new country. Suggests that suicide rates and means may change as a result of length of time living in new country, though also suggests that traditional values still predominate. Suggests focus on polyethnic status of society rather than promoting rhetoric of multiculturalism. Elaborates some of the problems with cross-cultural comparison as a result of differing meanings of suicide and different methods of reporting.
Campbell, D., Moore, G., & Small, D. (2000). "Death and Australian cultural diversity". In A. Kellehear (Ed). Death and dying in Australia. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Important chapter that highlights the normative status of white culture within the Australian health care system, and examines the implications of this for working with people from non-white cultures. Draws attention to the culturally specific meanings surrounding death and dying, and challenges white practitioners and workers to explore their own cultural location. Challenges the notion that the answer to working with culturally diverse communities is to simply employ bicultural workers or to engage in cultural awareness training. Explores how cultural issues may impact both on patients and on their families.
* Davis, Martha, Paleg, Kim & Fanning, Patrick (2004). The messages workbook: Powerful strategies for effective communication at work and home. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications Inc.
"The workbook guides you through challenging communication situations like talking through a power dynamic with a boss or a subordinate, or communicating with elders or people of different cultures."
* Fernando, Suman (2003). Cultural diversity, mental health and psychiatry: The struggle against racism. Hove & New York: Brunner-Routledge.
"[The author] weaves together themes of immense importance for the future of psychiatry and mental health services in a multi-cultural setting, exploring:
- the nature of racism and its permeation into mental health services
- the inside story of the struggle against racism in statutory and voluntary sectors of the mental health system
- the history of psychiatry and the role of spirituality, holistic thinking, psychotherapy and Asian traditions of medicine."
* Holiday, Adrian, Hyde, Martin & Kullman, John (2004). Intercultural communication: An advanced resource book. London: Routledge.
Intercultural communication:
- introduces the key theories of intercultural communication
- explores ways in which people communicate within and across social groups
- is built around three themes – identity, otherization and representation – which are followed and developed over the book's three sections"
Kennedy, M.A., Parhar, K.K., Samra, J. & Gorzalka, B. (2005). "Suicide ideation in different generations of immigrants". Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 50, pp. 353-356.
Questions the assumption that acculturalism mediates suicide rates amongst immigrant communities. Explores the impact that culture clash (between younger people and older people who have immigrated) may have on suicide rates.
Lago, Colin & Smith, Barbara (Eds) (2003). Anti-discriminatory counselling practice. London: Sage publications.
"…an enlightening introduction to the complex issues which affect all trainees and practitioners in counselling, psychotherapy and other helping professions. The book identifies the origins of discrimination, oppression and disadvantage and shows how they impinge on therapeutic relationships."
* Mishne, Judith (2002). Multiculturalism and the therapeutic process. New York: Guilford Press.
"This much-needed book is designed to deepen clinicians' understanding of multiculturalism and help them incorporate awareness of diversity into all phases of treatment – from referral and assessment to working through and termination."
* Palmer, Stephen (Ed) (2002). Multicultural counselling: A reader. London: Sage.
"The book covers both theory and practice, outlining different approaches to multicultural and transcultural counselling, highlighting the racism implicit in some counselling theory and providing examples of multicultural counselling practice. The contributors also present fresh perspectives on cross-cultural counselling, and Discussion Issues at the end of each chapter further encourage the reader to take a critical and questioning approach to the subject."
* Ponterotto, Joseph G., Casas, Manueal J., Suzuki, Lisa A. & Alexander, Charlene M. (Eds) (2001). Handbook of multicultural counselling 2nd Edition. London: Sage Publications.
"The Second Edition of the Handbook of multicultural counselling presents a completely reconceived work building on the strengths of the first, reflecting the developments that continue to expand the profession of multicultural counselling. Eighty-five scholars in the field offer their perspectives, providing breadth and depth, as well as new visions for the discipline.
[This] is a critical resource for counsellors, counselling students, and other mental health professionals who are seeking to improve their competence in treating a culturally diverse clientele."
Stratton, J. (1999). "Multiculturalism and the whitening machine, or how Australians become white". In G. Hage & R. Couch (Eds.), The future of Australian multiculturalism : reflections on the twentieth anniversary of Jean Martin's The Migrant Presence. Sydney, NSW: Research Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Sydney.
Provides a useful critique of the rhetoric of multiculturalism, and examines how the dominance of white cultural values operates in Australia. Elaborates how multiculturalism came to be a policy direction in Australia, and explores the ongoing implications of this.
Chandler, M.J. & Lalonde, C.E. (2004). "Transferring whose knowledge? Exchanging whose best practice?: On knowing about Indigenous knowledge and Aboriginal suicide”. In D. Beavan & J. White (Eds). Aboriginal Policy Research. London: Althouse Press.
Explores the relationship between non-indigenous knowledge production and the knowledge of Indigenous communities. Critiques homogenous constructions of non-white cultures and questions the utility of statistics that subsume multiple groups. Questions the imposition of non-indigenous knowledge about suicide onto Indigenous communities and outlines how access to sovereignty rights may mediate suicide rates in Indigenous communities.
Steenkamp, M. & Harrison, J.E. (2000). Suicide and hospitalised self-harm in Australia. Injury Research and Statistics Series. Adelaide: AIHW (AIHW cat no. INJCAT 30).
http://www.nisu.flinders.edu.au/pubs/reports/2001/suicide_injcat30.pdf
"This is a statistical report on suicide and hospitalised self-harm in Australia. It includes data on age and sex distribution and methods used, and presents trends for suicide deaths.
The report also includes information on suicide among Indigenous Australians and describes the shortcomings of the data and the implications for interpreting the information.
It will be relevant to those interested in data on suicide or those working in the field, including community practitioners, health planners and administrators, academic researchers and the public."
* Tatz, C. (2001). Aboriginal Suicide is Different. Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press.
An important text that outlines some of the different forms, contexts and motivations within which suicide may occur in Indigenous communities. Draws attention to the role that cultural factors play, and in particular those that are imposed upon Indigenous communities by non-indigenous people. Does this in part by examining the moral values that are associated with suicide in Western societies. Questions the scientific method for examining suicide and the predominant association that is presumed to exist between suicide and mental health problems, and outlines an anthropology of suicide.
* Vicary, David (2000). “Developing a Culturally Appropriate Psychotherapeutic Approach with Indigenous Australians”. Australian Psychologist, 35, 3.
Many Australian psychologists have little information about how to perform culturally appropriate assessment and therapy with Aboriginal clients. This article explores relevant history that affects the psychological health of Aboriginals, and contrasts the western perspective on mental health with Aboriginal beliefs. A case study is used to illustrate a process that might be used by non-Aboriginal therapists when working with Aboriginal clientele. The case study contrasts a culturally sensitive approach with common western psychotherapeutic processes. Recommendations for the enhancement of culturally appropriate therapeutic interventions are discussed.
Fergusson, D.M., Horwood, L.J. & Beautrais, A.L. (1999). "Is sexual orientation related to mental health problems and suicidality in young people?". Archives of General Psychiatry, 56, pp. 876-880.
Outlines some of the debates over [lesbian, gay, bisexual] LGB suicide, and provides research that whilst demonstrating a relationship between identification as LGB and suicide behaviour, continues to point towards the importance of examining multiple factors involved in suicide. Acknowledges that results and apparent relationship between sexuality and suicide may be mediated by poor measures.
Peel, E. (2001). "Mundane heterosexism: Understanding incidents of the everyday". Women’s Studies International Forum, 24, pp. 541-554.
An excellent elaboration of how discrimination operates in society in very subtle ways in regards to sexuality. Demonstrates how discrimination may often be very implicit, but no less dangerous for those who experience it.
Quinn, K. (2003). "Rural suicide and same-sex attracted youth: Issues, interventions and implications for rural counsellors". International Electronic Journal of Rural and Remote Health Research, Education, Practice and Policy, 3, pp. 1-6.
Outlines how living in remote locations impacts upon same-sex attracted youth. Considers issues that arise from lack of access to resources, mistrust of health care professionals in regards to anonymity and confidentiality, and availability of information about safer sex. The paper proposes that the internet may be an important tool for accessing information and support, but that this will obviously be mediated by the cost and availability of internet access, and also the issues of privacy and familial support involved.
Skegg, K., Nada-Raja, S., Dickson, N., Paul, S. & Williams, S. (2003). "Sexual orientation and self-harm in men and women". American Journal of Psychiatry, 160, pp. 541-546.
Whilst this paper does acknowledge the potentially important gender differences in regards to suicide amongst same-sex attracted populations, and despite its claim to clearly define and operationalise its terms of reference, the paper fails to explore the subjective meanings of both same-sex attraction and suicide. This leaves the paper open to being potentially used to legitimate pathological understandings of same-sex attraction, as it focuses on an individualised relationship between same-sex attraction and mental health problems or suicidal behaviours, rather than paying adequate attention to issues of social discrimination and oppression as they impact upon same-sex attracted men and women.
Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., Lewinsohn, P., Rohde, P., Seeley, J., Monson, C.M., Meyer, K.A. & Langford, R. (1998). "Gender differences in the suicide-related behaviours of adolescents and young adults". Sex Roles, 39, pp. 839-854.
Discusses the types of risky behaviours and suicide behaviours that are engaged in by young adults, and outlines the gender specificity of these behaviours.
Frank, E. & Dingle, A.D. (1999). "Self-reported depression and suicide attempts among US women physicians". American Journal of Psychiatry, 156, pp. 1887-1894.
Gender differences in suicide behaviour among physicians: female physicians may have higher rates than the general population of females, whilst men may be relatively the same. Lists some of the factors that may underlie this phenomenon, and highlights the role that increased access to lethal means may play.
Burvill, P.W. (1995). "Suicide in the multiethnic elderly population in Australia, 1979-1990". International Psychogeriatrics. 7, pp. 319-333.
Outlines the relationship that may exist in relation to immigrant suicide as resulting from conflicts between traditional sociocultural values and those promoted in the new country. Suggests that suicide rates and means may change as a result of length of time living in new country, though also suggests that traditional values still predominate. Suggests focus on polyethnic status of society rather than promoting rhetoric of multiculturalism. Elaborates some of the problems with cross-cultural comparison as a result of differing meanings of suicide and different methods of reporting.
* Davis, Martha, Paleg, Kim & Fanning, Patrick (2004). The messages workbook: Powerful strategies for effective communication at work and home. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications Inc.
"The workbook guides you through challenging communication situations like talking through a power dynamic with a boss or a subordinate, or communicating with elders or people of different cultures."
De Leo, D., Hickey, P.A., Neulinger, K. & Cantor, C.H. (2001). Ageing and Suicide. Canberra: Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care.
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/f5b8c66a112b4165ca2571ea00212a8a/$file/agecov.pdf
Provides extensive statistics and summaries of suicide rates and means in Australia. Outlines the key motivations that underpin suicide in aged communities, and draws attention to providing support for those bereaved by aged suicide.
Kennedy, M.A., Parhar, K.K., Samra, J. & Gorzalka, B. (2005). "Suicide ideation in different generations of immigrants". Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 50, pp. 353-356.
Questions the assumption that acculturalism mediates suicide rates amongst immigrant communities. Explores the impact that culture clash (between younger people and older people who have immigrated) may have on suicide rates.
Lawrence, D., Almeida, O., Hulse, G., Jablensky, A.V., Holman, C.D.J. (2000). "Suicide and attempted suicide amongst older adults in Western Australia". Psychological Medicine, 30, pp. 813-821.
Investigates the relationship between mental health concerns and suicide amongst older adults. Findings suggest that older adults who commit suicide have an increased likelihood to have been in contact with mental health services prior to their death. Elaborates some of the other factors involved in suicide among older adults.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2000). Morbidity of Vietnam veterans: A study of the health of Australia’s Vietnam veteran community. Suicide in Vietnam veterans’ children: Supplementary Report no. 1. AIHW cat. no. PHE 25. Canberra: AIHW.
Useful summary of the role that war service may play in the lives of children of veterans. Highlights the increased risk that exists within this community and explores some of the reasons for this.
Bullman, T.A. & Kang, H.K. (1996). "The risk of suicide among wounded Vietnam veterans". American Journal of Public Health, 86, pp. 662-667.
Outlines some of the factors that may be involved in higher suicide rates amongst Vietnam veterans. Discusses implications for developing prevention programmes aimed specifically at this population.
O’Brien, K. (2004). "The intergenerational transference of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder amongst children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans in Australia: An argument for a genetic origin: Review of current literature". Paper presented to the Social Change in the 21st Century Conference, Centre for Social Change Research, Queensland University of Technology, 29 October.
Interesting examination of the effects of PTSD from war veterans upon their children. Elaborates the increased risks of poor health and suicide amongst children of war veterans and highlights some of the reasons for this.
Thoresen, S., Mehlum, L. & Moller, B. (2003). "Suicide in peacekeepers". Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 38, pp. 605-610.
Interesting study of the rates of suicide amongst peacekeepers. Findings shown that suicide rates are still higher than the general population even when peacekeeping work is voluntarily chosen. Elaborates some of the factors that may relate to increased suicide risk amongst this population.
Dudley, M. (2003). "Contradictory Australian national policies on self-harm and suicide: The case of refugees in mandatory detention". Australasian Psychiatry, 11, pp. 103-108.
Very insightful paper on the conflict between government suicide prevention programmes and the policy of mandatory detention. Elaborates the extremely high rates of suicide and suicidal behaviour within detention centres, and explores some of the causes for this.
Brown, G.S., Jones, E.R., Betts, E. & Jingyang, W. (2003). "Improving suicide risk assessment in a managed-care environment". Crisis, 24, pp. 49-55.
An informative paper that discusses the important role that patient assessment of suicide risk may play in clinician’s assessment and management of risk. Outlines some of the important legal and social contexts within which risk is currently managed, and provides an example of one way in which risk assessment is being managed within the US.
Cochrane-Brink, K.A., Lofchy, J.S. & Sakinofsky, I. (2000). "Clinical rating scales in suicide risk assessment". General Hospital Psychiatry, 22, pp. 445-451.
Examines some of the factors that influence the efficacy of clinical risk assessment tools. Is limited by the fact that it focuses primarily on tools related to suicide and mental health, but does usefully outline the problems with assessing people in crisis, the difference between self administered and interview based assessments, and the importance of population-specific assessment tools.
* Duffy, David & Ryan, Tony (Eds) (2004). New approaches to preventing suicide: A manual for practitioners. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
"Written by front line professionals in the fields of nursing, mental health, prison services and the law, this text is an essential companion to the [British] government's new suicide prevention strategy. The contributors offer a wealth of practical guidance on issues such as risk assessment and management in a range of settings, policy and the legal framework around suicide."
Frierson, R.L., Melikian, M. & Wadman, P.C. (2002). "Principles of suicide risk assessment: How to interview depressed patients and tailor treatment". Postgraduate Medicine, 112, pp. 65-71.
Outlines the important role that general practitioners may play in identifying suicide risk. Acknowledges the pressures of time that exist within the consultation framework, and provides a number of relatively simple checks and responses to suicide risk. Suggests that interviews are important rather than simply checklists, and also suggests that ‘suicide contracts’ are not particularly useful in most cases.
Harriss, L. & Hawton, K. (2005). "Suicidal intent in deliberate self-harm and the risk of suicide: The predictive power of the Suicide Intent Scale". Journal of Affective Disorders, 86, pp. 225-233.
Suggests that this particular scale, whilst able to provide important information about suicidal intent, does not actually predict suicide accurately. This points towards the fact that, like other such scales, they are useful in risk assessment, but ultimately cannot provide health professionals with clear cut answers to questions of risk.
LaRicka, R., Wingate, M.S., Joiner, T.E., Walker, R.L., Rudd, M.D. & Jobes, D.A. (2004). "Empirically informed approaches to topics in suicide risk assessment". Behavioral Sciences and the Law. 22, pp. 651-665.
Reports a number of factors that increase suicide risk: 1) history of (often multiple) attempts to suicide and having plans (rather than having desire), 2) ‘acquired capability’ to enact lethal self-harm, sense of being a burden, and lack of sense of belonging or connectedness. Suggests that self-reports may often be more reliable than clinician’s reports.
McPherson, A. (2005). "An overview of the assessment tools available to mental health professionals to help determine patients at risk of suicide". The International Journal of Psychiatric Nursing Research, 10, pp. 1129-1142.
Provides a summary of a small number of available assessment tools and their efficacy for use in assessing suicide. Draws attention to the importance of assessing both facts (i.e., previous suicide attempts) and feelings, and the need to include family members in assessments. Highlights the potential limitations for using positivist approaches to understanding the subjective meanings of suicide, and that health professionals need to supplement assessment tools with knowledge gained in the consultation environment.
Packman, W.L., Marlitt, R.E., Bongar, B. & O’Connor Pennuto, T. (2004). "A comprehensive and concise assessment of suicide risk". Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 22, pp. 667-680.
Outlines some of the ways in which the values and beliefs of health professionals in regard to suicide and death may influence their ability to assess risk. In particular, this will be influenced by level of experience with suicidal clients, personal views and moralities on suicide, acceptance of death, and type of training. This suggests that it is important for practitioners to consult with colleagues in regard to risk assessment if possible/needed.
Range, L.M. & Knott, E.C. (1997). "Twenty suicide assessment instruments: Evaluation and recommendations". Death Studies, 21, pp. 25-58.
Proposes three useful types of suicide assessments: (a) clinician-rated suicide instruments, (b) self rated suicide instruments, (c) self -rated buffers against suicide. Suggests that it is important to recognise that the type of scale used will be contingent on whether the aim is to measure risk or to screen for risk.
Rogers, R. (2000). "The uncritical acceptance of risk assessment in forensic practice". Law and Human Behavior, 24, pp. 595-605.
Whilst relating primarily to risk assessment within forensic psychology, this paper usefully draws attention to the problems that may arise from focusing solely on risk factors to the exclusion of protective factors. Such a focus may fail to adequately assess risk, and thus assign the label of at-risk-for-suicide to individuals to whom this label is not warranted.
Saunders, B. & Goddard, C. (1998). A critique of structured risk assessment procedures: Instruments of abuse? Victoria: Australian Childhood Foundation.
An excellent critique of risk assessment in the context of child protection. Raises important points around: how risk assessment may individualise, the privileging of risk over protective factors, the categorising of risk around singular factors, the changing status of risk, and the ways in which risk assessment may be used to manage accountability. Outlines how risk assessment may be understood as complementing other approaches to understanding risk and in combination with a broader system push towards institutional change.
Schulberg, H.C., Hyg, M.S., Bruce, M.L., Lee, P.W., Williams, J.W. & Dietrich, A.J. (2004). "Preventing suicide in primary care patients: The primary care physician’s role". General Hospital Psychiatry, 26, pp. 337-345.
Draws attention to the high numbers of people who access health services and consult with primary care providers prior to suicide, often either in the same week or month. This suggests that triggers may well be evident within the consultation, and should prompt primary care providers to assess for suicide risk. Proposes that there is a great need for increased training and awareness around risk assessment.
* Duffy, David & Ryan, Tony (Eds) (2004). New approaches to preventing suicide: A manual for practitioners. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
"Written by front line professionals in the fields of nursing, mental health, prison services and the law, this text is an essential companion to the [British] government's new suicide prevention strategy. The contributors offer a wealth of practical guidance on issues such as risk assessment and management in a range of settings, policy and the legal framework around suicide."
Ministry of Health, New Zealand (2003). Assessment and management of people at risk of suicide: for emergency departments and mental health service acute assessment settings. Ministry of Health (MoH) (New Zealand), New Zealand Guidelines Group (NZGG)
http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Suicide_Prevention_Research_and_Statistics
This is a resource for clinical staff in emergency departments and mental health clinicians assessing and working with people who have made a suicide attempt, or are suicide risks. It is based on explicit evidence and synthesised expert opinion.
Ministry of Youth Affairs (NZ) (1999). Detection and management of young people at risk of suicide: guidelines for primary care providers. Ministry of Youth Affairs (NZ)
http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Suicide_Prevention_Research_and_Statistics
The aim of these guidelines is to assist primary care providers to recognise young people, between 12 and 25, at risk of suicide and provide appropriate management or well informed referral to secondary services.
* Berman, Peral S. & Shopland, Susan (2005). Interviewing and diagnostic exercises for clinical and counselling skills building. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
"This book, specifically designed to meet the needs of those teaching and learning interviewing and diagnostic skills in clinical, counselling and school psychology, counsellor education, and other programs preparing mental health professionals, offers a rich array of practical, hands-on, class and workshop-tested role-playing and didactic exercises."
* Cole, Kris (2000). Crystal clear communication: Skills for understanding and being understood 2nd Edition. Adelaide: Prentice Hall.
"Full of practical tips, this new edition is Australian-focused and includes information on
- How to be successful in your communication and your life
- Gathering valuable information through reflective listening
- Keeping cool, calm and collected even with the most difficult people
- Managing your body language
- Effectively communicating by fax and email."
* Davis, Martha, Paleg, Kim & Fanning, Patrick (2004). The messages workbook: Powerful strategies for effective communication at work and home. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications Inc.
"The workbook guides you through challenging communication situations like talking through a power dynamic with a boss or a subordinate, or communicating with elders or people of different cultures."
* Ellin, Jeanne (1994). Listening helpfully: How to develop your counselling skills. London: Souvenir Press.
"Going right back to the beginning, Listening Helpfully explains the essence of counselling, how it works and how it can lead the other person to find his or her own solutions. It includes many skill development exercises, topics for discussion, questions to answer and ideas for journal work. It describes how to deal with strong feelings, how to end a session, how to recognise when the other person should be referred on for further help, and how important it is to have supervision and support."
* Holiday, Adrian, Hyde, Martin & Kullman, John (2004). Intercultural communication: An advanced resource book. London: Routledge.
Intercultural communication:
- introduces the key theories of intercultural communication
- explores ways in which people communicate within and across social groups
- is built around three themes – identity, otherization and representation – which are followed and developed over the book's three sections"
Lago, Colin & Smith, Barbara (Eds) (2003). Anti-discriminatory counselling practice. London: Sage publications.
"…an enlightening introduction to the complex issues which affect all trainees and practitioners in counselling, psychotherapy and other helping professions. The book identifies the origins of discrimination, oppression and disadvantage and shows how they impinge on therapeutic relationships."
* Linden, Jennie & Linden, Lance (2000). Mastering counselling skills: Information, help and advice in the caring services. New York: Pallgrave Macmillan.
"This book is for those working with clients in the helping services who wish to learn and improve their communication and counselling skills."
* Mishne, Judith (2002). Multiculturalism and the therapeutic process. New York: Guilford Press.
"This much-needed book is designed to deepen clinicians' understanding of multiculturalism and help them incorporate awareness of diversity into all phases of treatment – from referral and assessment to working through and termination."
* Poindexter, Cynthis Cannon, Valentine, Deborah & Conway, Patricia (1999). Essential skills for human services. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co.
"… a concise and useful guide that gives a realistic introduction to working with others… [The authors] show you how to support and effectively guide persons who need assistance from social services systems."
* Rosenberg, Marshall B. (2003). Nonviolent communication: A language of life. Encinitas, CA: Puddle Dancer Press.
"Marshall Rosenberg shows us how to reach beneath the surface and discover what is alive and vital within us, and how all of our actions are based on human needs that we are seeking to meet. When we understand and acknowledge our needs we create a shared basis for a more satisfying relationship – a deeper connection with others and ourselves. "
* Stone, Douglas, Patton, Bruce & Heen, Sheila (1999). Difficult conversations: How to discuss what matters most. London: Penguin Books.
"Much as we try to avoid them, difficult conversations are part of life. And we often handle them badly. This ground-breaking book will give you the know-how to tackle even the most challenging conversation."
* Stuart, Scott & Robertson, Michael (2003). Interpersonal psychotherapy: A clinician's guide. London: Arnold.
"Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a treatment that helps to reduce psychological symptoms by intervening in relationship difficulties. This book highlights common clinical issues and covers an extensive range of interpersonal problems and psychopathology to which IPT is applicable. It draws on theoretical and research aspects in order to inform the therapist's clinical choices in conducting IPT and other focal and structured psychotherapies in general."
* Walsh, Froma & McGoldrick, Monica (Eds) (2004). Living beyond loss: Death in the family 2nd Edition. New York & London: W.W. Norton & Company.
"Chapters by leading authorities reveal how the family response to loss affects all members and their relationships across the life cycle and the generations. New chapters address such topics as spirituality, gender issues, suicide and other traumatic deaths, unacknowledged and stigmatized losses, and resilience-based approaches to family and community recovery from major disaster."
* Wastell, Colin (2005). Understanding trauma and emotion: Dealing with trauma using an emotion-focused approach. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
"Wastell's approach is grounded in practical treatment and the way emotion-focused therapy can be used to benefit the therapist and client. Using extensive case studies and making clear links between theory and practice, Wastell presents an innovative practice manual for the counsellor and psychologist interested both in trauma treatment and human emotion. These principles for understanding trauma will also assist health professionals, including nurses, doctors, ambulance officers, social workers, religious leaders, emergency services workers and police officers, to help their clients."
* Wilson, Clare & Powell, Martine (2001). A guide to interviewing children: Essential skills for counsellors, police, lawyers and social workers. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
"A guide to interviewing children is a practical introduction to interviewing techniques for a range of professionals … Step by step, it outlines the key stages of an interview, and how to respond to the child's needs during an interview. It explains how to deal with children of different ages and from different backgrounds, and also how to work with their parents."
* Worden, J. William (2003). Grief counselling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner 3rd Edition. Hove & New York: Brunner-Routledge.
"The 3rd Edition of Grief counselling and grief therapy provides counselling techniques to help identify and treat the grief of the bereaved. This updated version incorporates:
- A refined basic model of mourning, including not only the Tasks of Mourning but also the Mediators of Mourning
- Information on special types of mourning including complicated grief, children's violent death, grief and the elderly, and anticipatory grief
- The use of dreams in grief work."
Please note: It can be confusing and difficult choosing a self-help book. The following sites give information relating to this problem:
Bibliotherapy self-help books
http://bluepages.anu.edu.au/help_and_resources/resources/books/
Part of the Blue Pages site.
Self-help books for mental illness – by Peter Lavelle
http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/s1491971.htm
ABC Online – Health Matters – The Pulse
* Aisbett, Bev (2000). Taming the black dog: A guide to overcoming depression. Sydney: Harper Collins.
Taming the black dog is a simple guide to managing depression. …this book, with its unique blend of wit, information and practical tips, will be an invaluable guide for sufferers of depression and anyone with a fit of 'the blues'."
* Caine, Linda & Royston, Robin (2003). Out of the dark. London: Corgi Books.
"Life for Linda Caine should hold no fears. As a contented wife and mother, she should have everything to live for. Yet a blackness has started to leak into her thoughts. Images flash through her head leaving her stunned and terrified. On the face of it there is no rational explanation for the way she feels. … The raw and powerful journey that Linda takes with her psychiatrist Robin Royston to discover what lies at the heart of her depression will leave you breathless."
* Copeland, Mary Ellen (2001). The depression workbook 2nd Edition: A guide for living with depression and manic depression. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
"Learn and practice the latest research-based self-help strategies to relieve depression and address other mental health issues…"
* Ellis, Thomas E. & Newman, Cory F. (1996). Choosing to live: How to defeat suicide through cognitive therapy. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.
"In the best tradition of giving psychology away, this easy-to-read book can help suicidal people understand their suffering while they take charge of their own healing."
Johnstone, Matthew (2005). I had a black dog. Australia: Pan MacMillan.
"Ever since Winston Churchill popularised the phrase Black Dog to describe the bouts of depression he experienced for much of his life, it has become the shorthand for the disease that millions of people suffer from, often in shame and silence. Artist and writer Matthew Johnstone, a sufferer himself, has written and illustrated this moving and uplifting insight into what it is like to have a Black Dog as a companion. It shows that strength and support that can be found within and around us to tame it. Black Dog can be a terrible beast, but with the right steps can be brought to heel. There are many different breeds of Black Dog affecting millions of people from all walks of life. The Black Dog is an equal opportunity mongrel. Stunningly illustrated, totally inspiring, this book is a must-have for anyone who has ever had a Black Dog, or knows someone who has." (Publisher's abstract)
* Rosen, David (2002). Transforming depression: Healing the soul through creativity. Yorke Beach, Maine: Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
"Dr. David Rosen offers depressed individuals, their families, and therapists a lifesaving course in healing the soul through creativity. This is a book about transforming depression – and its powerful pull towards suicide – into a meaningful alternative."
Tanner, Susan & Ball, Jillian (1991). Beating the blues: A self-help approach to overcoming depression. Published in Australia by the authors.
"Beating the blues introduces a step-by-step program for overcoming depression, enabling you to break the lethargy circuit and conquer feelings of hopelessness, persistent bouts of jealousy, loneliness and the suicidal impulse."
* Wolpert, Lewis (2001). Malignant sadness: The anatomy of depression 2nd edition. London: Faber and Faber.
"Several years ago, Lewis Wolpert had a severe depressive episode. Despite a happy marriage and a successful scientific career, he could think only of suicide. When eventually he did recover, he became aware of the stigma attached to depression – and just how difficult it was to get reliable information. With characteristic candour and determination he set about writing Malignant sadness, his acclaimed investigation into the causes and treatments of this devastating disease, which formed the basis for a BBC TV series."
* Clark, Sheila (1995). After suicide: Help for the bereaved. Melbourne: Michelle Anderson Publishing.
"This is an extremely valuable book which will be of great support and assistance to those who are bereaved through the tragedy of suicide. It shows practical commonsense and careful guidelines to help people find their way through this time. This book would be of great value to general practitioners and all those who may be involved in providing support and care for bereaved people following a suicide." (Prof. Beverley Raphael)
Cvinar, Jacqueline G. (2005). "Do suicide survivors suffer social stigma: A review of the literature" Perspectives in Psychiatric Care 41, 1, pp 14-21.
Discusses how bereavement through suicide is different from natural loss and presents special challenges to health care providers. The psychological impact is heightened by the social stigma that is attached to death by suicide.
Pietila, M. (2002). "Support groups: A psychological or social device for suicide bereavement?". British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 30, pp. 401-414.
Excellent article highlighting the cultural and moral specificity of how we grieve. Suggests that particular types of grieving are normalised or promoted, and that other forms are disavowed. This is particularly applicable to how practitioners may feel able to grieve, and the gender specificity of which types of grieving are publicly possible. Suggests that there is a gap between the utility of support groups as a shared space of understood meaning, and the prohibition of certain types of public grief.
* Talbot, Kay (2002). What forever means after the death of a child: Transcending the trauma, living with the loss. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
"[This book] builds on empirical and qualitative research and gives examples of what helps and what hinders bereaved parents as their grief and loss evolve. Talbot encourages clinicians to help parents reframe their role as the child's biographer, through continuing rather than breaking the bond with their deceased child. Examples demonstrate how bereaved parents reconstruct personal identity, resolve spiritual and existential crises, reach out to help others, and create productive futures that honour their children and provide new meaning to their lives."
* Walsh, Froma & McGoldrick, Monica (Eds) (2004). Living beyond loss: Death in the family 2nd Edition. New York & London: W.W. Norton & Company.
"Chapters by leading authorities reveal how the family response to loss affects all members and their relationships across the life cycle and the generations. New chapters address such topics as spirituality, gender issues, suicide and other traumatic deaths, unacknowledged and stigmatized losses, and resilience-based approaches to family and community recovery from major disaster."
* Wastell, Colin (2005). Understanding trauma and emotion: Dealing with trauma using an emotion-focused approach. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
"Wastell's approach is grounded in practical treatment and the way emotion-focused therapy can be used to benefit the therapist and client. Using extensive case studies and making clear links between theory and practice, Wastell presents an innovative practice manual for the counsellor and psychologist interested both in trauma treatment and human emotion. These principles for understanding trauma will also assist health professionals, including nurses, doctors, ambulance officers, social workers, religious leaders, emergency services workers and police officers, to help their clients."
Wilson, A. & Clark, S. (2005). South Australian Suicide Postvention Project, Report to Mental Health Services Department of Health, University of Adelaide, September 2005
http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/24871/1/South_Australian_Suicide_Postvention_Report.pdf
"The Project’s purpose was to examine current approaches to postvention for those bereaved through suicide in metropolitan Adelaide from the perspective of consumers, service providers and organisations. [It includes] a review of published and unpublished literature and research from both Australian and international contexts.
One of the most salient features of this research was the emphasis placed on ensuring that research data, results and conclusions were grounded in the experiences, beliefs and ideas of the bereaved, service providers and organisations."
* Worden, J. William (2003). Grief counselling and grief therapy: A handbook for the mental health practitioner 3rd Edition. Hove & New York: Brunner-Routledge.
"The 3rd Edition of Grief counselling and grief therapy provides counselling techniques to help identify and treat the grief of the bereaved. This updated version incorporates:
A refined basic model of mourning, including not only the Tasks of Mourning but also the Mediators of Mourning
Information on special types of mourning including complicated grief, children's violent death, grief and the elderly, and anticipatory grief
The use of dreams in grief work."
* Bernstein, Judith R. (1997). When the bough breaks: Forever after the death of a son or daughter. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Publishing.
"…a poignant and sensitive book that offers bereaved parents the comfort of learning how others have navigated this rutted road… With great honesty and empathy, it acknowledges that no family ever 'recovers' from this tragedy, but rather adapts to a life irretrievably altered."
* Bruce, Elizabeth J. & Schultz, Cynthia L. (2004). Through loss. Victoria, Australia: ACER Press.
"Through loss explains the grieving process: what it involves; where it may sometimes take you; ways you can develop to deal with some of its strength, intensity and relentlessness; ways of staying connected with other people; ways of living with the loss and grief that continues in the forefront of minds or as a backdrop to lives, or sometimes both."
* Clark, Sheila (1995). After suicide: Help for the bereaved. Melbourne: Michelle Anderson Publishing
"This is an extremely valuable book which will be of great support and assistance to those who are bereaved through the tragedy of suicide. It shows practical commonsense and careful guidelines to help people find their way through this time. This book would be of great value to general practitioners and all those who may be involved in providing support and care for bereaved people following a suicide." (Prof. Beverley Raphael)
* Orrell, Herb (2003). Unspeakable: The truth about grief. Houston, Texas: Bayou Publishing.
"By offering the first new perspective on grieving in more than thirty years, author Herb Orrell challenges everything we've been led to believe about the grieving process. Breathtakingly honest and insightful, he shows us grief the way it really is and healing in a way that's finally possible. Through his own journey and the stories of those he's counseled, you begin to see the often surprising ways each of us can make peace with our pain."
* Robinson, Rita (2001). Survivors of suicide. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page Books.
"A helping guide for family and friends left behind when a loved one commits suicide. … It dispels the myths surrounding suicide, based on the latest research and interviews with leading medical experts, as well as with family and friends who have survived the suicide deaths of loved ones, and who offer support, knowledge, and comfort to other survivors."
* Rosenbloom, Dena & Williams, Mary Beth (1999). Life after trauma: A workbook for healing. New York: The Guilford Press.
"Filled with comforting activities, relaxation techniques, and self-evaluation questionnaires, the book explains how and why trauma can throw you for a loop and guides you toward developing inner resources for coping, self-understanding, and self-care."
* Walsh, Froma & McGoldrick, Monica (Eds) (2004). Living beyond loss: Death in the family 2nd Edition. New York & London: W.W. Norton & Company.
"Chapters by leading authorities reveal how the family response to loss affects all members and their relationships across the life cycle and the generations. New chapters address such topics as spirituality, gender issues, suicide and other traumatic deaths, unacknowledged and stigmatized losses, and resilience-based approaches to family and community recovery from major disaster."
* Wolfelt, Alan D. (2003). Understanding your grief: Ten essential touchstones for finding hope and healing your heart. Fort Collins, Colorado: Companion Press.
"When someone you love dies, it can be hard to understand your often complex – and painful – thoughts and feelings. This compassionate guide … will help you understand the normal and necessary journey we call grief."
Messages of hope: An insight into the lives of the bereaved. Produced by the Bereaved Through Suicide Support Group, Adelaide.
A series of interviews with people bereaved through suicide giving an insight into their thoughts, feelings and hopes.
Please note: This project is designed to address the problem of adult suicide. However, many young people access adult services and so the 'cut-off' age is not clear. With this in mind we include a selection of resources that may assist the young person or the primary care worker. All these books are available from:
The Relationships Australia Bookshop
49a Orsmond Street, Hindmarsh SA 5007
Phone: 08 8245 8100
http://www.rabooks.com.au
Bahr, Nan & Hurdy, Kristelle (eds) (2003). Our Adolescents: Issues for teachers, schools and communities. Flaxton, Qld: Post Pressed.
A series of conference papers from the 2001 and 2002 conference held at the University of Queensland, School of Education. Addresses many of the issues confronting adolescents today. Specific papers on suicide include the issues of practical techniques; prevention programs; and postvention.
Carr, Alan (2002). Depression and attempted suicide in adolescence. Victoria: ACER Press.
This series of highly practical guides has been designed for practitioners who work with adolescents and their families, with the aim of providing concise, up-to-date information on adolescent problems.
The guides are designed for use in assessment and intervention with clients and in planning training therapeutic programmes, and can also be used for teaching purposes."
Crook, Marion (1997). Suicide: Teens talk to teens. Canada: Self-Counsel Press.
"Chronicles a generation of heartbreak – youths born after 1970 – who had decided as young as age 12 that life held no prospects … One chapter lists clues to suicidal behaviour … There is also advice on where teens can turn for outside conseling."
Dorais, Michael & Lajeunesse, Simon (2004). Dead boys can't dance: Sexual orientation, masculinity and suicide. Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press.
"Dead boys can't dance explores the effect of the double taboos of homosexuality and suicide on males from fourteen to twenty-five. [The authors] analyse how being stigmatised as homosexual affects personality and behaviour and show that those who are heterosexual, but are suspected of being homosexual, are most at risk of committing suicide. They also suggest ways in which such suicides can be prevented."
Grollman, Earl A. & Malikow, Max (1999). Living when a young friend commits suicide: or even starts talking about it. Boston: Beacon Press.
One of your friends or relatives has committed suicide, or has been talking about it. … Living when a young friend commits suicide talks about things like the first days after a death and what you may feel; the need to know why; how you can tell if someone is suicidal; what to do if you've promised not to tell anyone; returning to school after a suicide; and popular misconceptions, like the idea that people who attempt suicide are just looking for attention. It is a straightforward, compassionate book – one that gives comfort and expert ideas for helping yourself."
Kaufman, Miriam (2000). Helping your teen overcome depression: A guide for parents. Toronto: Key Porter Books.
"Using clear and accessible language, Dr. Miriam Kaufman explains what teen depression is, and how it can be overcome. She gives parents a thorough overview with the most up-to-date medical knowledge, and includes many illustrative case histories.
In a broad-ranging question-and-answer section she addresses many of the specific concerns of parents, and of teenagers themselves. Dr. Kaufman outlines the warning signs of suicide and offers professional advice on how it can be prevented."
Nelson, Richard & Galas, Judith C. (1994). The power to prevent suicide: A guide for teens helping teens. Minneapolis: Free Spirit Publishing Inc.
"When teenagers were asked, "Who would you tell about wanting to commit suicide?" 90 percent said they would tell a friend first. This book tells you what to do next. The power to prevent suicide recognizes your power to save a life."
Oster, Gerald D. & Montgomery, Sarah S. (1995). Helping your depressed teenager: A guide for parents and caregivers. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
"The authors are experts in this field [teenage depression and suicide] and have helped countless youngsters confront and overcome their depressed mood. In a highly readable and gentle manner, they help you to see behind the 'masks' of troubled teens who attempt to hide their true feelings. They help you distinguish the subtle and sometimes not so subtle signs that something is seriously wrong. And they help you provide the loving support and assistance teenagers need to make it through this difficult life passage."
Rey, Joseph (2002). More than just the blues: Understanding serious teenage problems. NSW, Australia: Simon & Schuster.
"It almost seems to be an accepted fact that our children's teenage years are going to be 'difficult'. But when does the 'normal' range of adolescent behaviours and problems tip over into a situation in need of intervention? When should parents really begin to worry? Dr. Rey describes the signs to look for …" back to top |