Suicide is increasingly recognized as a major global issue of public health, with far-reaching social, economic, and emotional consequences. The World Health Organization estimates that around 800,000 people die each year by suicide, with suicide attempts perhaps up to twenty times more frequent than the completed act. Moreover, in the past thirty years global suicide rates have increased by a dizzying 60 per cent. (For example, in Japan-after Russia, the developed world's leading suicide nation-more than 33,000 people committed suicide in 2007.) Some general facts are now widely known. For instance: suicide is mainly a (young) male act; mental disorders (such as depression and schizophrenia) are strongly associated with the majority of suicide cases; and suicide rates tend to increase during times of economic downturn, and decrease when individuals within society are well integrated-which probably explains why suicide rates tend to decline during wars. Also, certain groups of people (e.g. alcoholics, the bereaved, prisoners, and migrants) are recognized to be at particular risk of suicide. While it is possible to make such generalizations, many urgent questions, of course, remain unanswered. Consequently, practical and scholarly research better to understand the complex interaction of psychological, genetic, sociological, and environmental factors that may lead to suicide flourishes as never before, not least in the hope of instigating effective suicide-prevention strategies and initiatives. However, much of the literature remains inaccessible or is highly specialized and compartmentalized, so that it is often difficult to obtain an informed overview. To enable users to make sense of the sheer scale of the growth in research output-and the breadth of the field-this new four-volume collection from Routledge's Major Themes in Health and Social Welfare series answers the need for a comprehensive reference work offering wide-ranging and multidisciplinary perspectives on suicide and suicidal behaviour. Edited by two of the world's leading authorities, the collection brings together canonical and the very best cutting-edge research. Suicide will be welcomed by professionals and policy-makers. It will also be an invaluable reference resource for students and scholars working in the field, as well as users from a wide range of allied disciplines-such as nursing, education, social work, and law-who increasingly require an understanding of the issues this collection explores.

Worldwide, at least 1 million people die by suicide each year and many millions more attempt suicide. However, suicide has been increasingly recognised as a preventable problem in many cases. Because of this, and the rising rates of suicide in young people, many countries have established national suicide prevention strategies. These include the United Kingdom, the USA, Scandinavian countries, other countries in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. There is also increasing emphasis on the treatment of suicidal people and those who have made suicide attempts. In order to be effective it is imperative that strategies for treatment and prevention are based on sound scientific evidence.
In this book leading figures from psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, public health, and social medicine bring together the research evidence concerning the key elements in suicide prevention and treatment of suicidal behaviour and translate it into implications for practical action. This includes social and public health policy as well as clinical practice. The book draws together the evidence relevant to treatment and prevention, and uses this in order to highlight the most effective approaches. The range of initiatives covered is wide, reflecting the complex nature of suicide and hence the need for a range of approaches. This book will be an essential source for anyone concerned with the design and implementation of effective suicide prevention strategies, including clinicians working with individual patients, strategic policy makers, and researchers.

Worldwide, at least 1 million people die by suicide each year and many millions more attempt suicide. However, suicide has been increasingly recognised as a preventable problem in many cases. Because of this, and the rising rates of suicide in young people, many countries have established national suicide prevention strategies. These include the United Kingdom, the USA, Scandinavian countries, other countries in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. There is also increasing emphasis on the treatment of suicidal people and those who have made suicide attempts. In order to be effective it is imperative that strategies for treatment and prevention are based on sound scientific evidence. In this book leading figures from psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, public health, and social medicine bring together the research evidence concerning the key elements in suicide prevention and treatment of suicidal behaviour and translate it into implications for practical action. This includes social and public health policy as well as clinical practice. The book draws together the evidence relevant to treatment and prevention, and uses this in order to highlight the most effective approaches. The range of initiatives covered is wide, reflecting the complex nature of suicide and hence the need for a range of approaches. This book will be an essential source for anyone concerned with the design and implementation of effective suicide prevention strategies, including clinicians working with individual patients, strategic policy makers, and researchers.

Cognitive behaviour therapy is now established as the leading psychological treatment for many psychiatric conditions. This innovative book gives a guide to practising the therapy with patients suffering from a wide range of emotional disorders. Unlike other handbooks which extensively review research findings, this concentrates on showing the reader how to perform the therapy in practice. Acknowledged experts in the practice, teaching, and empirical investigation of cognitive behaviour therapy contribute to the book. It provides a summary of the cognitive behavioural principles on which the therapy is based, followed by a detailed account of how to carry out a cognitive-behavioural assessment. Subsequent chapters provide self-contained descriptions of how to use the therapy to treat particular conditions: panic and generalized anxiety, phobic disorders, depression, obsessional disorders, somatic problems, eating disorders, chronic psychiatric handicaps, marital problems, and sexual dysfunctions. A final chapter provides a description of problem-solving training. Each chapter describes the condition, assessment procedures, factors likely to be important in formulating the problem, and then the treatment, step-by-step. Particular attention is paid to overcoming difficulties encountered during treatment, and extensive use is made of clinical material and case illustrations. This is an excellent guide to the practice of cognitive behaviour therapy for all those beginning to use the technique.

Sexual problems are a major cause of personal distress and marital breakdown, affecting as many as one in ten of the general population. The author, who has had extensive clinical, research, and teaching experience in the field of sexual dysfunction, has written a very practical account of the nature, causes, assessment, and treatment of sexual problems. The various stages of treatment are described in sufficient detail for therapists who are about to start sex therapy. Experienced therapists will also find this book a source of useful advice. The treatment approach includes behavioural, psychotherapeutic, and educational techniques. In addition to the treatment of couples, the management of sexual problems of individuals without partners, and of the phsyically disabled, are also described. Practical guidance is backed up by research findings. This book is an up-to-date, straightforward, and practical account which should be of considerable interest to anyone involved in the management of sexual problems.

Self-harm in adolescents is an increasingly recognized problem, and there is growing awareness of the important role schools and health services can play in detecting and supporting those at risk. By Their Own Young Hand explores the findings of the first large-scale survey of deliberate self-harm and suicidal thinking in adolescents in the UK, and draws out the implications for prevention strategies and mental health promotion. Six thousand young people were asked about their experiences of self-harm, the coping methods they use, and their attitudes to the help and support available. The authors identify the risk and protective factors for self-harm, exploring why some adolescents with suicidal thoughts go on to harm themselves while others do not, what motivates some young people to seek help, and whether distressed teenagers feel they receive the support they need. By Their Own Young Hand offers practical advice on how schools can detect young people at risk, cope with the aftermath of self-harm or attempted suicide, and develop training programmes for teachers. It also examines the roles of self-help, telephone helplines, email counselling, and walk-in crisis centres. Packed with adolescents' own personal accounts and perspectives, this accessible overview will be essential reading for teachers, social workers and mental health professionals.

Self-harm in adolescence and late teens is known to be increasing, though it is difficult to detect and inconsistently recorded. This thorough, practical and evidence-based book provides guidance for professionals and parents caring for children and young people at risk of self-harm and suicide.;Claudine Fox and Keith Hawton discuss risk factors for self-harm, including depression, substance abuse and antisocial behaviour, and critically examine key screening instruments that can be used to assess risk. They describe how suicidal behaviour can be managed and prevented, and look at the effectiveness of aftercare treatment for those who self-harm, including school-based suicide-prevention programs and family therapy. Also addressed are common myths about self-harm and the problem of varying definitions in this field.;Deliberate Self-Harm in Adolescence clearly summarizes and evaluates current research into suicidal behaviour - it is essential reading for social workers, mental health professionals, GPs, teachers and parents.