Suicide as a Public Health Problem 



 
 November 24, 2009

 
Course Syllabus

| Course Description | Learning Objectives | Course Format, Policies, and Grading | Course Materials | Contact Information | Help | Ethical Conduct


 

 


Photo by Southie3. Creative Commons BY-ND.


Course Description

Introduces students to the following content areas with regard to suicide: history and theories; epidemiology; etiological factors and mechanisms; clinical phenomenology and comorbid disorders; assessment of suicidal behaviors; special populations; preventive and treatment interventions; ethical issues on the conduct of research on suicidal populations.


Learning Objectives

Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

• Define and discuss suicide and suicidal behaviors from a public health framework;
• Describe the epidemiology, etiology, mechanisms, and interventions for attempted and completed suicide;
• Identify the essential clinical, social and ethical issues in the conduct of suicide research.


Course Format, Policies, and Grading

The instructional method consists of lectures by the instructors and guest lectures.

Grades will be based on:

  • Outline of the final paper=10%
  • A final paper=40%
  • Group suicide prevention project=40%
  • Class participation=10%

Class participation will be based upon BBS discussions (responding to 3 questions on each topic) and lecture viewing. Please see assignment pages for additional details.

  

Course Materials

Required and Recommended Readings for each topic are posted in the Online Library.

Recommended text: SK Goldsmith, TC Pellmar, AM Kleinman, WE Bunney, Editors, Committee on Pathophysiology & Prevention of Adolescent & Adult Suicide, Board on Neuroscience and Behavioral Health. Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative 2002.

Available in the bookstore or online at http://www.nap.edu/books/0309083214/html/


Contact Information

Course Instructors:

Holly C. Wilcox  PhD
E-mail: hwilcox@jhsph.edu
Phone: 410-502-0629

Diana E. Clarke M. Sc., PhD
E-mail: dclarke@jhsph.edu
Phone: 703-907-8621

TA:

Janet Kuramoto
E-mail: skuramot@jhsph.edu


Help

Concerns
Contact
Concerns about course topics and assignments

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Technical concerns about the functionality and operation of course Web pages (before emailing, please make sure that you can replicate the problem)
  • DEHelp, the central help system for all tech support inquiries related to DED courses
Technical help on weekends
  • JHSPH User Support: 410-955-3781
Concerns about your Internet connection
  • Your Internet service provider (e.g., AT&T, Erols, etc.)
Concerns about your personal software
  • Your software vendor


Ethical Conduct

The academic ethics code, as discussed in the Policy and Procedure Memorandum for Students, March 31, 2002, will be adhered to in this class.


Disability Support Services

If you are a student with a documented disability who requires an academic accommodation, please contact Betty H. Addison in the Office of Career Services and Disability Support: dss@jhsph.edu, 410-955-3034, or Room E-1140.

 

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Copyright to this collective work of materials is owned by The Johns Hopkins University.
Copyright to individual contributions may be retained by contributing authors.