Suicide has been a taboo topic in Western culture. The mere mention of suicide sparks reactive responses that include medical, moral, spiritual, and religious debates. As a result, authors Pitchford and Krippner open an important discussion here, offering an honest and non-judgmental examination of the many aspects involved in the nature of suicide, explaining that above all, people need to learn how to support those struggling with suicidal thoughts, or to intercept their own suicidal thinking.
Special consideration is given to military suicides. American soldier suicides exceed one per day and continue to rise in all military branches, while veteran suicide rates are even higher, averaging 17 per day. Communities, families, veterans, and service members are in need of tools and insights for coping with, navigating, and exposing the suicidal attitudes affecting many current and former members of the military.
Dr. Stanley C. Krippner Ph.D. is an executive faculty member and Professor of Psychology at Saybrook University in Oakland, California. He was previously director of the Kent State University Child Study Center, and director of the Maimonides Medical Center Dream Research Laboratory in Brooklyn, New York. He has written extensively on altered states of consciousness, dream telepathy, and parapsychological subjects.