Suicide Prevention – First Training Record in Suicidology

INTRODUCTION: “It is my pleasure to introduce this first training record in suicidology relating to the accurate assessment of, and appropriate response to suicidal cries for help that involve the use of the telephone. In it, we illustrated some important principles and precepts involved in the telephone response to suicidal crisis situations. It is our hope that this training record will provide a stimulus for further thought, discussion, and especially for the saving of lives…”
With these words, Dr. Stanley F. Yolles, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, introduces this training record in suicidology.

CONTENT OF THE RECORD: This training record reproduces five separate telephone calls. The listener should be alerted to the fact that these calls are not necessarily presented as examples of the best way in which telephone calls should be handled; they are rather selected illustrations of what actually occurred at different suicide prevention centers throughout the country. Among the calls one can find a wide range of experience and expertness, from practiced and skilled suicide prevention workers to volunteers obviously in need of further experience and supervision. This fact is important to keep in mind because it emphasizes the point that these calls are presented primarily as items for discussion — points of departure for learning and for improvement of services.

Released by the U.S. Department Of Health, Education, And Welfare.

Discogs