Race group differences in suicide death classification in a sample of 109 Black and White university students were examined. Participants were randomly assigned to read three vignettes for which the vignette subjects' race (only) varied. The vignettes each described a circumstance (terminal illness, academic failure, or relationship difficulties)…

Presents case summary of 58-year-old woman, terminally ill with cancer, who is contemplating suicide. Includes comments from Kjell Rudestam from the Fielding Institute and from Margaret Battin from the University of Utah who debate appropriate responses to people who contemplate suicide because of terminal illness. (NB)

Contends that old age, in and of itself, should never need to be a cause for self-destruction. Further argues that suicide and assisted suicide carried out in the face of terminal illness causing unbearable suffering should be ethically and legally acceptable. Outlines a perspective on rational suicide among the elderly. (Author/NB)

To see if suicide attitudes might be softened by extenuating circumstances, such as terminal illness, African American and European American women imagined themselves in one of four extenuating circumstances then completed measures of suicide acceptability and religiosity. Both ethnic groups reported a greater likelihood of suicide when imagining…

A study illustrates how legal sanction promotes a culture that transforms suicide into assisted suicide and encourages choosing death when faced with serious illness. The question of extending legal euthanasia to those not physically ill complicates the issue. Also, doctors may feel they can end a terminally-ill patient's life without consent.…

Author explains why he disagrees with concept of rational suicide, asserting that what some see as basis for rational suicide, he sees as basis for therapy. Discusses particular circumstances of the very old, disabled, and terminally ill. Contends that effective psychotherapy is possible with terminally ill. Concludes that, although he opposes…

The relationship between medical illness and suicide seems to be multi-faceted. While medical illness is not the sole determinant of suicide, certain illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS and brain cancers, do appear to elevate the risk of suicide. Possible effective prevention efforts include education of primary care providers, and improved medication…

Compared bereavement experiences of surviving spouses of suicides (N=14) with those of other surviving spouses (N=43). Focused on grief reactions suggested to be unique to suicide bereavement and quality of grief resolution. Found no significant differences among survivors on frequencies of common grief reactions, but suicide survivors were…

Presents some explanations for the doubling of the young adult suicide rate since 1950. Analyzes the diagnoses and population groups that contribute the most to this increase. Groups that can be readily affected by suicide reduction measures are discussed, and methods for reducing suicide are proposed. (JPS)