Citation

Tuckman J. Crisis Interv. 1970; 2(4): 87-91.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1970, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The process started in 1955 when the City of Philadelphia replaced its coroner with a medical examiner. Shortly after the medical examiner was appointed he sought the services of Mental Health Division of the Department of Public Health to see whether any meaningful information could be developed on the problem of suicide from records in his office. From an initial study of the characteristics of suicide over a five-year period, an ongoing research program developed, which has continued since that time. Following the early studies we made a recommendation for the establishment of a suicide control unit within the Health Department, but apparently the Managing Director felt that this type of facility was not as attractive as other proposals. We then solicited the help of the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania which set up an ad hoc committee which over a three or four year period studied the problem, stimulated groups to become interested and involved, found funds to send out at two different times a psychiatrist to participate in a training program offered by the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center, visited or wrote to other communities with suicide prevention...

Language: en