A Non-Cartesian View of Suicide and Suicide Prevention Intervention

It is pointed out that suicide conceptualization is split into two knowledge systems: the causal system of suicide analysis and the intentional system of suicide intervention and of a suicide act. We maintain that these two cannot always be connected to each other. We propose that formulating a non-Cartesian view of suicide and suicide prevention would help in overcoming this shortcoming. The suggested conceptualization of suicide as a goal-directed process of actions and projects is pointed out as a possible way of responding to this challenge. In addition, the action theory informed method of analysis and of intervention is presented and the role the video self-confrontation-interview is stressed. This approach allows us to understand and describe the past suicide processes beyond the terms of statistical causality as goal-directed processes for the purpose of suicide prevention and also to design and outline suicide prevention intervention in terms of projects and actions. Possible mechanisms of the video self-confrontation-interview impact are described. © 2020, Springer Nature India Private Limited.