The Power to Prevent Suicide: A Guide for Teens Helping Teens [Paperback]

Richard E., Ph.D. Nelson (Author), Judith C. Galas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1994

Recognizing that young people have the power to be suicide preventers, this book offers positive, practical, step-by-step advice that can save lives.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-An excellent, practical manual that is easy to read and understand. The authors' premise is that, as trusted and caring friends, YAs have a special role in the prevention of suicide among their peers, and discuss what to do if they observe the danger signals. Suggestions for assessing the degrees of concern and tips on "active listening" merit the attention of everyone working with teens. Basic information about suicide is presented: the magnitude and urgency of the crisis, contributing factors, categories of teens who are especially at-risk, the mind-set of would-be victims, and warning signs. They cite interviews with YAs who survived suicide attempts to indicate that many, apparently, change their minds after initiating the act. It follows that alertness and intervention can save lives. There is also a discussion of techniques for problem solving and stress reduction. For more in-depth treatments of the broader social issues that have produced the teen suicide crisis, see Michael Biskup and Carol Wekesser's Suicide (Greenhaven, 1992) and Cynthia Lewis's Teen Suicide (Enslow, 1994).
Libby K. White, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“An excellent, practical manual that is easy to read and understand.”—School Library Journal

Recommended Books for the Reluctant YA Reader--American Library Association

Books for the Teen Age--New York Public Library

ALA/YALSA “Recommended Book”

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Pub (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915793709
• ISBN-13: 978-0915793709
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,636,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for all: teens, parents & teachers, April 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Power to Prevent Suicide: A Guide for Teens Helping Teens (Paperback)

Nelson & Galas have put together an excellent book packed full of information such as the myths, facts, risk factors and warning signs as well as how to prevent suicide from happening. This powerful book is geared towards teenagers to help each other but it is also an excellent resource as well for parents, teachers and para-professionals. As a graduate student in elementary education, I found this book easy to digest and relative to the issues facing todays teens. As a parent of four girls, my concern in the prevention of the skyrocketing suicide rate is of utmost importance. As I read, I was able to recall what life was like as a teenager and the high importance of some issues to teens of things that I now would think of as minor or temporary. I recommend this book highly for parents, teachers, school nurses as well as any teen (contemplating suicide or not). It is a MUST resource, and should be easily available for all who would benefit. Maybe if more people can understand why teenage suicide happens, we can recognize the distinguishable warning signs and be more successful in preventing it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What do you do when your friend is thinking about suicide?, January 9, 2005

By 

Carol Watkins "Psychiatrist" (Parkton, Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Power to Prevent Suicide: A Guide for Teens Helping Teens (Paperback)

I often talk to teens who carry the burden of their friends' depression. They perceive parents and teachers as out of touch, so they try to handle each other's depression themselves. This can be stressful and even dangerous. If a friend confides suicidal thoughts and then actually commits suicide, the adolescent may have to deal with severe guilt and remorse.

When I first saw the title of this book, I was afraid that the author was just going to try to train teens to be the primary therapists for their depressed peers. Actually this book is realistic but also quite responsible. It repeatedly warns teens not to keep silent when a friend is suicidal.

This book helps teens recognize the signs of depression and suicidal thoughts in their peers, and suggests ways to help. It also talks about taking care of oneself after a friend has actually committed suicide. It does discuss the importance of going to a responsible adult if a friend is really in trouble.

I often recommend this book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A little pointless, May 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Power to Prevent Suicide: A Guide for Teens Helping Teens (Paperback)

Being a teen who has been close to suicide many a time, I know from experience that reasons for suicide are plentiful, but finance is a main problem. Why sell a book on how to prevent suicide? To me thats a little bit of a tease. Also... I don't think parents would buy this book, as the symptoms of a suicidal teen are not in great supply. We hide our feelings. Well, thats just my opinion.... An online 'How to prevent suicide' would be much more effective