330.674.01
Suicide As A Public Health Problem

Location
East Baltimore
Note: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this course was held in a virtual/online format.
Term
4th Term
Department
Mental Health
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2020 - 2021
Instruction Method
Synchronous Online with Some Asynchronous Online
Class Time(s)
M, W, 1:30 - 2:50pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Holly Wilcox
Paul Nestadt
Contact Name
Paul Nestadt
Frequency Schedule
One Year Only
Next Offered
Only offered in 2020
Prerequisite
Description
Suicide is a major public health problem as over 47,511 people in the United States died by suicide in 2019 (over 1 million worldwide). This course will introduce students to the following content areas with regard to suicide: history and theories, epidemiology, etiological factors and mechanisms, clinical phenomenology and comorbid disorders, assessment of suicidal behaviors, special populations, and preventive interventions.
Introduces students to the following content areas with regard to suicide: history and theories; epidemiology; etiological factors and mechanisms; clinical phenomenology and comorbid disorders; assessment of suicidal behaviors; special populations; preventive and treatment interventions.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Define and discuss suicide and suicidal behaviors from a public health framework
  2. Describe the epidemiology, etiology, and interventions for attempted and completed suicide
  3. Identify the essential clinical, social and ethical issues in the conduct of suicide research
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 30% Final Paper
  • 40% Group Presentation
  • 20% Quizzes
  • 10% Participation
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

Recommended reports to read:

National Strategy for Suicide Prevention 2012: Goals and Objectives for Action: A Report of the US Surgeon General and of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Research Prioritization Task Force. (2014)

A prioritized research agenda for suicide prevention: An action plan to save lives.

Rockville, MD: National Institute of Mental Health and the Research Prioritization Task Force. Who Health Organization: Preventing Suicide - A global imperative. Geneva: 2014