title: Studying survivors of nearly lethal suicide attempts: an important strategy in suicide research.
abstract: The series of articles in this special issue of SLTB from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study of nearly lethal suicide attempts represents an important contribution to research on suicidal behavior. The investigative approach used is attractive, yet also challenging in terms of research methodology. In this commentary I take the opportunity to highlight certain aspects of this line of research as well as to comment on the specific findings of the CDC study and their relationship to existing knowledge. I also discuss the future potential for this research approach and further questions that might be addressed by it.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hawton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D004194:Disease / Q000523:psychology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012107:Research Design; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States