Course Description:

This course is based on a publication of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Office of Applied Studies (OAS) about the prevalence of suicide.  It provides an overview of this topic by discussing the research findings of two major research projects conducted by SAMHSA, namely the NSDUH and DAWN surveys.  This course highlights the research findings on suicide which are related to major depressive episode and drug use.  This publication is written in simple terms making the concepts easy to grasp.  It serves as an excellent resource for mental health professionals who would like to build or refresh their knowledge about suicide. 

Psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists can benefit from this course. This course may also be helpful for other practitioners, such as midwives and dieticians and nutritionists who may work with clients who are at risk for suicide or substance abuse.  This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who want to learn more about the interaction between suicide, major depression and substance abuse.

Author: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Office of Applied Studies.

Learning Objectives:  This course will provide a professional with an overview of suicide. Specifically, a professional will:

• Identify the relationship between suicide and major depressive episodes and substance abuse.
• Describe the prevalence statistics related to major depressive episode and suicide.
• Describe the prevalence statistics related to drug use and suicide.

Citation:  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Office of Applied Studies (2006). The OAS Report: Suicide Thoughts, Suicide Attempts, Major Depressive Episode, and Substance Abuse among Adults. Issue 34.