Preface

Suicide typically represents an act of desperation in which the perpetrator draws the conclusion that their situation is hopeless and that there is little to no chance of their circumstances improving in any appreciable way. This is not always the case. For example, there are times when one is faced with the likely probability of enduring a terminal and excruciatingly painful illness and rationally decides that they would not want to endure this agonizing future. A person might also choose to knowingly sacrifice their life for a purpose that they perceive to be more important than their own existence, as might take place in times of war or in sacrificial acts of extreme patriotism. There are many such exceptions. Most often, however, suicide is seen as a desperate act in response to utter hopelessness and despair. When one examines the personal attributes and circumstances of the person who commits suicide, major depression, schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness, and alcoholism are frequently significant contributors; but again, this is not always the case.

This book examines factors that are related to and contribute to suicidal acts while also evaluating interventions that might be of value in reducing suicide statistics. Among the many topics covered are neurophysiological, personal, environmental, sociological, emotional, religious, economic, drugs, and parasuicidal correlates as they related to suicidality. In addressing these many factors, one gains a greater depth of understanding of suicide and comes away with an increased knowledge of why an individual might engage in an act, which, to the outsider, appears both irrational and extreme. The authors' areas of expertise are both broad and deep and as a result, this book is a valuable reference for those who seek greater knowledge of suicidal behavior.

> **Robert W. Motta, Ph.D.** Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York

## **Chapter 1**
