SUICIDAL AND COUNTER-SUICIDAL THINKING

A survey of 326 individuals found that 66% had considered suicide at some time in their lives, 9% had seriously contemplated-suicide, and 7% had attempted suicide. One-third reported thinking about suicide during the previous 12 months, while 20% believed that suicide would solve some of their current problems. Two-thirds of those who had contemplated suicide during the previous 12 months had told no one about these thoughts. Individuals who reported relatively more serious histories of suicidal ideation were less likely to endorse counter-suicidal belief statements about their (a) ability to survive and cope with life pressures, and (b) fear of being dead. The findings are discussed in relation to risk assessment and other aspects of practice.