This volume presents an authoritative overview of current scientific knowledge about suicide and suicide prevention. Multidisciplinary and comprehensive in scope, the book provides a solid foundation in theory, research, and clinical applications. Issues relevant to clinical case management are highlighted, and various treatment modalities are discussed in light of the latest research findings. Topics covered include the classification and prevalence of suicidal behaviors; social, cultural, and gender contexts of suicide; psychiatric and medical factors; and ethical and legal issues in intervention. Written by three international suicide authorities, the book also includes contributions from other leading scientist-practitioners who report on their respective areas of expertise. Throughout, user-friendly tables, case illustrations, concise summaries of key issues, and annotated references enhance the volume's utility for clinicians, students, and researchers.

Ronald W. Maris, PhD, is Director of the Center for the Study of Suicide and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of South Carolina. He is Editor Emeritus of the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior and has authored or edited 18 books on suicide.

Alan L. Berman, PhD, is Executive Director of the American Association of Suicidology and maintains a private practice in psychotherapy and psychological and forensic consultation at the Washington Psychological Center, P.C., in Washington, DC. He is the author or editor of seven books and more than 80 book chapters and articles, and serves as consulting editor for three professional journals.

Morton M. Silverman, MD, a psychiatrist trained at the University of Chicago, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Pritzker School of Medicine and the current Director of its Student Counseling and Resource Service. Editor-in-Chief of the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, he has published a number of books and articles on suicide prevention and treatment.