Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
Vol. 46 No. 1 January 2008
Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents
Peter Ash, MD
ABSTRACT
Although many of the principles and approaches toward suicidal youth are similar to those used with suicidal adults, some key differences exist. This article highlights the main differences between adolescent and adult suicidal behavior. Screening and assessment, treatment, and legal implications related to this population are also explored.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Ash is Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Director, Psychiatry and Law Service, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
The author discloses that he has no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Information contained in this article is reprinted from Psychiatric Annals, Vol. 37, No. 10, pp. 675-678.
Address correspondence to Peter Ash, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, 1256 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30306; e-mail: peter.ash@emory.edu.
How to Evacuate a Psychiatric Hospital: A Hurricane Katrina Success Story
Joan Thomas, PhD, APRN, CS; Nancy Lackey, PhD, RN
ABSTRACT
This article describes the successful evacuation of an entire psychiatric hospital from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Memphis, Tennessee, on a weekend night. The destination site was 400 miles away and buses were used for transport. The evacuation occurred shortly before Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and included 73 adult, adolescent, and child acute psychiatric patients. Thirty-five staff members also participated in the evacuation with their families and pets. This report is significant because little is known about how to implement a disaster plan that involves the transport of an entire psychiatric hospital—patients, nurses, physicians, staff, and family members—to another city. The knowledge gained can also benefit psychiatric nurses and their organizations when establishing or modifying their disaster plans.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Thomas is Assistant Professor, and Dr. Lackey is Former Chair of Excellence for Nursing Research, Loewenberg School of Nursing, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee.
The study was funded by the Office of the Vice-Provost for Research and the Graduate School, University of Memphis.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity.
Address correspondence to Joan Thomas PhD, APRN, CS, Assistant Professor, Loewenberg School of Nursing, University of Memphis, 610 Goodman Street, Memphis, TN 38152; e-mail: jthomas1@memphis.edu.
Understanding and Influencing the Stigma of Mental Illness
Patrick W. Corrigan, PsyD; Abigail Wassel, BA
ABSTRACT
Life goals and the opportunities that define them are impaired by the stigma of mental illness. Three kinds of stigma may act as barriers to personal aspirations: public stigma, self-stigma, and label avoidance. Challenging mental illness stigma is essential in helping individuals accomplish recovery-related goals. Public stigma may be changed through protest, education, and contact. Self-stigma can be addressed by fostering group identity, changing the perceived legitimacy of stigma through cognitive rehabilitation, and making strategic decisions about disclosing one’s mental health history. Stigma change for label avoidance is not as well understood but may include the education and contact approaches used for public stigma. Evidence-based approaches to stigma change need to be substantiated by rigorous investigations.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Corrigan is Professor of Psychology, and Ms. Wassel is a graduate student, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Patrick W. Corrigan, PsyD, Professor of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology, 3424 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60616; e-mail: corrigan@iit.edu.
