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The SPRC Discussion Series on Suicide Prevention

The Nomenclature of Suicidology: What's in a Name?

Morton Silverman, M.D., Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)
November 22 , 2005

This presentation reviews the development of nomenclature used in the field of suicidology. Dr. Silverman highlights controversies in the current terminology and definitions used to describe aspects of the suicidal process. He discusses the O'Carroll, et al (1996) nomenclature and illustrate how and why the nomenclature is still evolving. Emphasis is on the definitions of and distinctions between "suicide attempt" and "deliberate self-harm".

Speaker's Biography

Morton Silverman, M.D., currently is the Senior Advisor to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) and its first director. Dr. Silverman served as the first Chief of the Center for Prevention Research at the National Institute of Mental Health (1983-1985), and then served as the first Associate Administrator for Prevention in the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (1985-1987). From 1987-2002, he was an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Associate Dean of Students in the University, and Director of the Student Counseling and Resource Service, all at the University of Chicago. He currently is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Chicago.

Dr. Silverman recently served as the Senior Scientific Editor and Writer for the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action (2001). He has been a consultant to the DHHS Federal Steering Group to implement the National Strategy. He serves as a Temporary Advisor to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence of the World Health Organization and consults on the development of national suicide prevention programs. Since 1996, he has been the Editor-in-Chief of Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, the scientific journal of the American Association of Suicidology.

Dr. Silverman is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a member of Division 27 of the American Psychological Association. He is the co-author or author of over 20 journal publications, and over 20 book and monograph chapters on the topics of college student mental health, disease prevention, health promotion, alcohol and other drug abuse, suicide, and standards of care. He is the co-editor or co-author of 4 books on topics related to the field of suicidology, including the Comprehensive Textbook of Suicidology (2000).

He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania (1969) and received his M.D. degree from Northwestern University in 1974. In 1978 he completed his residency training in Psychiatry at the University of Chicago.

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Participants

Morton Silverman, Senior Advisor, Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Heather Brown, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Arizona Department of Health Sevices

Alan Holmlund, Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Sharon Pidgeon, SOS Program Manager, Screening for Mental Health, Inc

Patricia Smith, Violence Prevention Coordinator, Michigan Department of Community Health

Larry Lewis, Michigan Suicide Prevbention Coalition Chair, SPAN Michigan

Susan Mears, Statewide Mental Health Coordinator, Nevada Division of Child and Family Services

Brian Barr, Assistant Commisioner, New York Department of Family Assistance

Julie Geddes, Teenline Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Clinton Haley, Oregon Health Services

Michael Connor, Psychologist, Clinical, Medical & Family Psychology

Tamie Tootsie-Trottier, Prevention Coordinator, Hopi Guidance Center

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