Suicide Information and Resources

Stuttering and Suicide

At times, people become so desperate they develop what is called "tunnel vision" - they can see no other solution to their problem than ending their life. They have not rejected all the support that they know about and have found helpful in the past, but for a moment, they are not able to see outside the "tunnel" they find themselves in.

• Stuttering & Suicide: Our Experiences & Responsibilities (PPT) Judith Kuster; Lisa Scott; Scott Palasik; Rodney Gabel; Joseph Donaher E. Charles Healey, ASHA Convention, November, 2013. Three page handout of resources - PDF

  There are documented instances of people who stutter who have thought about suicide. An important message through all of them is "It Gets Better". If you are willing to add your personal story, contact Judy Kuster.

• Charles Van Riper
  • The Joyous Pathfinder: Charles Van Riper - 1905-1994 by Albert T. Murphy
  • By Charles Van Riper - on the end of his life (More of the article from the Stuttering Foundations Advice to Those Who Stutter is online)
• Dorvan Breitenfeld - excerpt from The Stuttering Foundation's Advice to Those Who Stutter.
• Rob
  • Scott
  • Rod (pages 26-36)
  • Things I Realized in the Years Following My Suicide Attempt by Steven Kaufman

An important message is that it is not just our clients who stutter who think about suicide. Clients Who Threaten Suicide -- Our Responsibilities

If you are in a suicidal crisis, please seek professional help immediately by calling "911", the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK, or a crisis hotline in your area (the number should be listed in your Yellow Pages under Crisis Intervention Services). If you feel suicidal, see a doctor.

There are also several good resources on the Internet about suicide prevention. The authors and articles are listed.

• Paul Quinette's Suicide: the Forever Decision: For those thinking about suicide and for those who know, love and counsel them - free book that describes QPR (question, persuade, refer).
• Lifeline Crisis Chata network that can provide online emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services, available in the United States and its territories from 2pm to 2am Eastern Time seven days a week.
• Befriender's International Network in Arabic, Chinese, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Dutch, Russian, Suomi, Portuguese, Danish. This site also provides Helpline Information from countries around the world.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• Samaritans - "Confidential support for suicide, suicidal thoughts, feelings of despair or distress."
• Sign of Symptoms of Suicide from the National Institute of Mental Health.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention includes Risk Factors and Warning Signs
• Suicide Prevention, Awareness, and Support
• SAVE (suicide awareness voices of education)
• San Francisco Suicide Prevention - America's oldest community crisis hotline
• Yellow Ribbon - a suicide prevention training program.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
• Bipolar disorder and suicide
• Suicide from TeensHealth
• Report Suicidal Content form if one encounters a direct threat of suicide on Facebook.
• "Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources" - good information and many excellent links!
• Suicide Prevention Guide include additional helpful links.
• Suicide and Depression Awareness for Students from Learn Psychology
• Understanding Suicide Prevention - information concerning college-age students from BestColleges.com.
• The Top Mental Health Challenges Facing Students - information concerning college-age students from BestColleges.com
• Wake Forest Suicide Resource Guide
• Lifeline Crisis Chat available in the United States and its territories is a national chat network that can provide online emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services. The chat specialists are here to listen and support you through whatever difficult times you may be facing.
• Our Nation's Young and Suicide" by Lisa Wright
• Substance Abuse and Suicide: A Guide to Understanding the Connection and Reducing Risk by Chris Elkins

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added November 19, 2002
updated October 22, 2018