Bullying, Suicide, and Homicide : Understanding, Assessing, and Preventing Threats to Self and Others for Victims of Bullying

In our society, bullying is commonly seen as a normal, inescapable part of growing up that children and adolescents must simply endure. In Bullying, Suicide, and Homicide, Butch Losey challenges this viewpoint, arguing that bullying is not a part of childhood development, but rather an aberrant behavior that, for the victim, can lead to adverse decisions, such as suicide and homicide. He provides a detailed understanding of the relationship between bullying, suicide, and homicide and an assessment and response strategy that can be utilized by mental health professionals who work with children and adolescents. This strategy involves a three stage ecological approach: screening to identify warning signs for bullying, depression, suicide, and violence by means of the Bullying Lethality Identification System (BLIS), developed by Losey and a colleague; assessing the risks of suicide and threats of violence using specially tailored forms and tools; and mediating to identify appropriate interventions. All of the associated tools and forms that the author has created are included as appendices and on the accompanying CD. Losey’s sensitive and compassionate treatment of this important subject will inform and motivate mental health professionals in their work with victims of bullying. In our society, bullying is commonly seen as a normal, inescapable part of growing up that children and adolescents must simply endure. In Bullying, Suicide, and Homicide, Butch Losey challenges this viewpoint, arguing that bullying is not a part of childhood development, but rather an aberrant behavior that, for the victim, can lead to adverse decisions, such as suicide and homicide. He provides a detailed understanding of the relationship between bullying, suicide, and homicide and an assessment and response strategy that can be utilized by mental health professionals who work with children and adolescents. This strategy involves a three stage ecological approach: screening to identify warning signs for bullying, depression, suicide, and violence by means of the Bullying Lethality Identification System (BLIS), developed by Losey and a colleague; assessing the risks of suicide and threats of violence using specially tailored forms and tools; and mediating to identify appropriate interventions. All of the associated tools and forms that the author has created are included as appendices and on the accompanying downloadable resources. Losey's sensitive and compassionate treatment of this important subject will inform and motivate mental health professionals in their work with victims of bullying. Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Author’s Note......Page 12 1 PERSISTENT BULLYING AND SUICIDE AS A VIABLE OPTION......Page 14 2 EFFECTIVE SCHOOL PREVENTION......Page 22 3 INCONSPICUOUS PARTNERS......Page 38 4 FACTORS THAT INCREASE RISK FOR VICTIMS OF BULLYING......Page 46 5 SCREEN......Page 66 6 ASSESS......Page 78 7 MEDIATE......Page 92 8 PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE BULLYING LETHALITY IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM......Page 114 Epilogue......Page 132 References......Page 136 Appendix A: Bullying Lethality Screening Tool......Page 142 Appendix B: Suicide Assessment......Page 146 Appendix C: Threat Assessment......Page 150 Appendix D: Documentation of Bullying Intervention......Page 154 Index......Page 156 The main objective of this book is to provide a detailed understanding of the relationship between bullying, suicide, and homicide and to offer an assessment and response strategy that is useful for mental health professionals who work with children. It will help readers understand that bullying is not a part of childhood development, but rather an aberrant behavior that for the victim can lead to adverse decisions, such as suicide and homicide Persistant bullying and suicide as a viable option Effective school prevention Inconspicuous partners : bullying as a precursor to suicide and homicide Factors that increase risk for victims of bullying Screen Assess Mediate Practical application of the bullying lethality identification system.