Ralph L.V. Rickgarn

Ralph L.V. Rickgarn is the author of Perspectives on College Student Suicide, from which the following viewpoint is excerpted. He is also a suicide consultant and intervention trainer for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools. Rickgarn asserts that anyone can participate in suicide intervention. Suicide intervention begins with recognizing the signs of suicidal intent, he maintains. If friends or family members are able to recognize the danger signals of suicidal behavior in an individual and to take positive steps toward intervention, Rickgarn contends, they may be able to prevent that person from committing suicide.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are the three levels of suicide intervention, according to Rickgarn?
2. Who is generally the first to become aware of suicidal clues, in the author’s opinion?
3. Why is it important to use the...