Definitions to the problem of suicide are important in order to gather more evidence based data and prevent occurrences. Self-harm is when a person deliberately does a behavior such as cutting with the intention of harming his or herself (Moran et al., 2012, p.236). Suicidal ideation is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “thinking about, considering, or planning for suicide” (CDC, 2013). One of the goals of research on suicidal ideation is to identify those who actually will attempt a suicide because of this ideation (Holliday, 2012, p.6).. Suicide attempt is defined as a self directed harmful behavior that does not end in death but is performed with an intent to die; whereas the term suicide or completed suicide …show more content…
Suicide also affects the health of the loved ones of the person attempting or completing suicide as well as the community (CDC, 2014). Suicide effects the entire community and family system (Miers, Abbott, & Springer, 2012, p.118) Despite the high occurrence of suicide in this young population, there is little research that focuses on the many needs of the surviving family members (Miers, Abbott, & Springer, 2012, p.119). A survivor of a suicide is a family member of friend of the person who died as a result of suicide (CDC, 2013).Surviving family members and close friends are heavily impacted by suicide. If a family member commits suicide, the surviving family is at risk for mental health and relationship problems (Miers, Abbott, & Springer, 2012, p.119) The American Associate for Suicidology found that family and friends of a person who commits suicide often experience an emotional turmoil of disbelief, remorse and depression (CDC, 2013). Suicide has a huge effect on the community as well resulting in 34.6 billion dollars in medical and work loss costs (CDC, 2014). Thus, suicide affects everyone and continues to be a significant health …show more content…
These theorists believed that humans have an inner wish to die, a death instinct, and through suicide and suicidal behavior this instinct becomes evident (Holliday, 2012, p. 9). Furthermore, Aaron Beck, is another theorist that contributed to early understanding of suicide through cognitive therapy. Beck et al., 1985 believed that hopelessness was the link between depression and suicide (Holliday, 2012, p.10). Beck and his colleagues developed valid and reliable tools such as the Beck Depression Inventory, Suicidal Ideation Scale and the Hopelessness Scale. Beck’s research on hopelessness has contributed to our understanding of risk factors of suicide (Holliday, 2012, p.10). Although hopelessness is still found to be part of the contributing factors in suicide, expanded research suggest countless other contributing factors to suicide (Holliday, 2012,