Psychologists Discuss Suicide Epidemic

Newswise — SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. suicide rates are on the rise, with nearly 45,000 Americans dying by their own hand each year. Suicide is now the 10^th leading cause of death in the United States, and recent suicides by celebrities Robin Williams, Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade have made international headlines. Psychology has much to say about suicide’s causes and strategies to prevent it. Psychologists at the 126th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association will discuss these and other aspects of the topic. Following is a list of relevant sessions.

Session 1164: “Understanding Risk and Resilience for Suicidal Ideation and Attempts in Transgender Veterans,” Symposium, Thursday, Aug. 9, 11a.m. PDT, Room 104, Lobby Level – South Building, Moscone Center, 747 Howard St., San Francisco, Calif.

Session 1321: “Youth Resilience, Depression and Suicide in Schools – Prevention and Social Emotional Learning,” Symposium, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2 p.m. PDT, Room 308, Level 3 – South Building, Moscone Center.  

Session 1336: “Using Suicide-Risk Screeners to Bridge the Gap Between Chaplains and Clinicians,” Skill-Building Session, Thursday, Aug. 9, 3 p.m. PDT, Room 216, Level 2 – South Building, Moscone Center.  

Session 2170: “Preventing Suicide in African American Adolescents,” Symposium, Friday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. PDT, Room 105, Lobby Level – South Building, Moscone Center.

Session 2172: “Intergenerational Transmission of Suicide Risk in Firefighters: The Moderating Role of PTSD,” Symposium, Friday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. PDT, Room 215, Level 2 – South Building, Moscone Center.  

Session 2200: “Understanding the Transition From Suicidal Desire to Planning and Preparation for Suicide,” Poster Session, Friday, Aug. 10, 12 p.m. PDT, Halls ABC Exhibition Level – South Building, Moscone Center.  

Session 2241: “Transgender Veterans Suicide: Prevalence, Prevention and Implications of Current Policy,” Invited Address, Friday, Aug. 10, 2 p.m. PDT, Room 206, Level 2 – South Building, Moscone Center.

Session 3132: “Religion and Spirituality and Suicide Prevention,” Symposium, Saturday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m. PDT, Room 3008, Level 3 – West Building, Moscone Center.  

Session 3144: “Suicidal Ideation As a Predictor of Suicide Attempts Across Adolescence and Young Adulthood,” Poster Session, Saturday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m. PDT, Halls ABC Exhibition Level – South Building, Moscone Center.  

Session 3352: “When Suicide Is Considered the Only Option,” Symposium, Saturday, Aug. 11, 4 p.m. PDT, Room 2000, Level 2 – West Building, Moscone Center.  

The convention program is online. Printed programs will also be available on site. Selected papers will be available electronically upon request. For more information on program topics, contact APA Public Affairs. 

Media details for Convention

Press Room: Meeting Room 1, Exhibition Level – South Building, Moscone Center, 747 Howard Street, San Francisco. Facilities will include work space, wireless connections for laptops/tablets, high-speed printer, telephones and APA staff resources. This room will also be the site of any news briefings if any are held during the convention. Signs to the press room will be posted onsite.

Hours (Pacific Daylight Time): Thursday, Aug. 9, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday – Saturday, Aug. 10 and 11, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 8 a.m. to noon

Registration: Media can register for the convention in the press room, in advance online, by emailing APA Public Affairs or by calling 202-336-5700. Registration is limited to credentialed journalists and journalists who have assignment letters on the letterhead of a media organization. All media personnel must be registered and wear their convention badges while attending any convention session or activity. Media can make hotel reservations at http://convention.apa.org/attend/hotels.  

News Releases: Embargoed releases about specific convention sessions, presentations and papers will be sent to news media by email in late July (a week to 10 days before the convention starts) and will be available online.

Embargoes: All releases will be embargoed until the time of presentation unless otherwise noted.

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.