Understanding Suicide Why We Don't And How We Might

A provocative look at research and practice in suicide prevention - a must read for all concerned. This provocative and erudite book highlights theoretical and methodological challenges that have plagued and continue to plague the field of suicidology. The basic premise is that recent research has not served to advance our understanding of suicidal behavior, but tends to repeat older research, often apparently without
awareness that we are often merely reinventing the wheel . As the authors
maintain: Very little of consequence has appeared in suicidology for many years no new theory and no ground-breaking research. The book discusses the contributions that each of the major disciplines have made to suicidology (is there a misplaced devotion to Durkheim s 100-year-old theories?), and provides an overview of research and theories in some typical areas. Drawing from this, specific recommendations as to what researchers and theorists can
do in the future to advance our understanding of suicide and suicide prevention are offered. It is hoped that these recommendations will stimulate research and theorizing so that our understanding of suicide will progress.

David Lester is distinguished professor of psychology at the Stockton University. He serves on the editorial board of numerous professional journals, including Omega, Crisis, and Death Studies. He is the author or editor of nearly one hundred books, including Suicide and the Holocaust, Understanding Suicide, and Understanding and Preventing Suicide.