Identifying Organizations, Research Paper Example

Suicide is a sociological phenomenon that appears to some extent, to occur by choice. As a consequence, it is reasonable to establish organizations that aim to prevent individuals from making this poor decision. Those who believe that suicide can be prevented have taken extensive measures to identify the subpopulation that is at higher risk for taking this action in addition to the psychological aspect of guiding these individuals through their episode of depression. It is essential to understand that those who typically seek help through a suicide prevention organization are those who recognize they have a problem and need help. Two organizations that exist to deter people’s likelihood to commit suicide are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and SAVE.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention aims to prevent suicide by promoting discussion and providing facts about suicide. The communication therapies the service offers includes a suicide hotline, support groups, and local events. This is supplemented by online information about suicide and depression including statistics and guidance on how to determine if one is depressed or suicidal. Interestingly, these therapeutic methods are closely tied in to Durkheim’s concept of “social integration”, in which the causes of suicide are tied to the extent to which individuals possess firm social bonds (Morrison, 2006). According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website, risk factors for suicide include depression, anxiety, conduct disorder, and antisocial personality disorder (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, n.d.). Many of these psychological disorders stem from the sensation that an individual is alone and without support. The process of social integration aims to lessen this sensation. Rather, it demonstrates that there are people who believe in them and are experiencing similar feelings.

Durkheim’s investigations also led to an understanding of the influence of demographics on sociological behavior. Groups of varying genders, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses are more or less likely to have suicidal tendencies. By understanding suicide statistics, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hopes to develop a system that will allow it to target these groups before suicidal thoughts occur.

An important concept in sociology is causal relationships (Wright, 1921). This concept indicates that it is unclear whether depression is a standalone event or whether depression causes suicide or vice versa. However, the counseling method implemented by the American Foundation for Suicide Depression bypasses this issue. By using peer counseling and group discussions to alleviate the symptoms of suicidal tendencies, they are also able to address the root causes of depression. Therefore, a potential causal relationship between depression and suicide is irrelevant here because the situation has managed to cover all of its bases.

Although suicide counseling typically addresses anomic and egoistic suicide, which occurs due to a feeling of detachment from society or a feeling of being alone, counselors need to be prepared to counsel individuals who want to attempt altruistic suicide, which occurs on the basis of religion. It is necessary to understand religion as a risk factor for suicide in light of current events and its position as a driver of behavior. While it is unlikely that this individual would dial in to a suicide hotline or attend meetings, it is essential for counselors to be able to talk to these individuals should the need occur.

Unlike the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention which offers counseling and information, SAVE works with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Research Prioritization Task Force in order to conduct suicide and depression research that will contribute to a greater understanding of this social phenomenon. The organization also offers public service announces and attempts to raise suicide awareness in the community. The information that this website provides differs from the previous one discussed because it studies suicide that is more closely related to traumatic life events (SAVE, n.d.).

Interestingly, the basis for SAVE contradicts many of the sociological principles that the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention claims to be effective. Firstly, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention claims that there is not a known causal relationship between depression and suicide, although the two are related. SAVE bases a majority of its research and information on the basis that the two are positively correlated. Second, SAVE ignores the concept of social integration directly; rather than organizing groups with the intention of providing suicidal and depressed individuals with support, it does so by implementing public service initiatives that attempt to make the community as a whole the support group they need. An additional difference between the two organizations is that SAVE ignores a majority of the causes for suicide. While the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention focuses on suicide for religious purposes to some extent, SAVE focuses on the action itself rather than the cause. Lastly, SAVE is similar to the American Foundation for Suicide prevention because it targets certain demographics of people that are likelier to be at a high risk for suicide. In particular, SAVE is interested in the American Indian population for this purpose.

References

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (n.d.). Risk Factors and Warning Signs. Retrieved from http://www.afsp.org/understanding-suicide/risk-factors-and-warning-signs

Morrison, K. (2006). Marx, Durkheim, Weber: Foundations of Modern Social Thought. London: Sage.

SAVE. (n.d.). Depression and Suicide Information. Retrieved from http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=FDF9AFE8-E081-  2F43-D4AE62DE644D1B1F

Wright, S. (1921). Correlation and Causation. Journal of Agricultural Research, 20(7): 557–585.