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This study was designed to assess relations among alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, negative-life events, depressive symptoms, and suicide proneness in a cross-sectional sample of undergraduate college students (n= 1100). Alcohol use was assumed to be causally prior to alcohol-related problems and negative-life events, which were in turn modeled as occurring prior to depressive symptoms, which were in turn modeled as prior to suicide proneness. Results revealed that, as expected, suicide proneness was positively related to depressive symptoms, alcohol-related problems, negative-life events, and alcohol use, and depressive symptoms were positively associated with alcohol-related problems and negative-life events. Additionally, the relation between alcohol use and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by alcohol-related problems and negative-life events; and the alcohol use-suicide proneness link was significantly mediated by alcohol-related problems, negative-life events, and depressive symptoms. Implications are offered for the improved identification and treatment of at-risk young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: Suicide is a public health problem worldwide, and spiritual experiences may be important positive experiences or coping mechanisms for difficulties associated with surviving a suicide loss. Studies have found that continuing bonds through spiritual experiences are common among individuals bereaved by suicide. However, the literature lacks depth in understanding these experiences, such as sense of presence. Aims: The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine descriptions of continuing bonds through spiritual experiences after death by suicide. Method: A total of 1301 individuals bereaved by suicide provided 2443 free responses about their spiritual experiences based on four different prompts, which were analyzed using an inductive approach. Results: Nine common themes were identified, selected for interest, and reported: (1) a helpful sense of comfort; (2) a helpful sense of connection with the deceased; (3) intense sadness evoked by the spiritual experiences; (4) confusion regarding the spiritual experiences; (5) negative reminders of the deceased or negative meanings of spiritual experiences; (6) evidence of an afterlife; (7) general importance of the spiritual experiences' meaning; (8) impact of and on religious beliefs; and (9) others' responses to disclosure of suicide or spiritual experiences. Conclusion: For the overwhelming majority of participants, spiritual experiences such as a sense of presence have deep meaning and are often regarded as a positive source of healing and transformation after a suicide death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are twice as many suicides as homicides in the United States, and the suicide rate is rising. Suicides increased 12% between 1999 and 2009. Mental health professionals often treat suicidal patients, and suicide occurs even among patients who are seeking treatment or are currently in treatment. Despite these facts, training of most mental health professionals in the assessment and management of suicidal patients is surprisingly limited. The extant literature regarding the frequency with which mental health professionals encounter suicidal patients is reviewed, as is the prevalence of training in suicide risk assessment and management. Most importantly, six recommendations are made to address the longstanding insufficient training within the mental health professions regarding the assessment and management of suicidal patients., (© 2012 The American Association of Suicidology.)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between functional impairment, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms. Independently, self-rated health and functional impairment each contribute to depressive symptoms; however, it remains unknown how these variables are related to depression in combination. It was hypothesized that self-rated health would moderate the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms in a sample of older adults., Method: A community sample of adults aged 60 and above was recruited from primary care clinics (n = 106); 98 of these participants had usable data. Participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed depressive symptoms, functional impairment, and self-rated physical health., Results: Self-rated health moderated the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms. For participants with poor self-rated health, greater functional impairment was associated with greater depressive symptoms., Conclusion: It appears that patient perceptions of health may be protective against depressive symptoms for those with functional impairment.