Suicide prevention for psychoanalytic institutes and societies

Journal title PSICOTERAPIA E SCIENZE UMANE
Author/s Otto F. Kernberg
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2026/3
Language Italian Pages 0 P. 609-622 File size 298 KB
DOI 10.3280/PU2026-003016
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Guidelines for rescue teams dedicated to suicide prevention for psychoanalytic institutes are described, including the following: establish a lifeline with universities, develop a psychotherapy program, inject a research orientation, present a realistic public image, abolish training analysis, select faculty on the basis of demonstrated capacity, integrate psychoanalytic institute with psychoanalytic society, rotate teachers, invite outside experts, promote a candidates’ organization, develop professional and training standards. These guidelines presuppose intensive training by the rescue teams, since suicide prevention is a complex, delicate effort that requires specific experience, knowledge, patience, and courage. Drowning persons may resist rescue efforts, thereby posing the danger of drowning the rescuer along with themselves. Blind resistance should be expected, particularly when the suicidal temptation is urgent and overwhelming.

Keywords: Psychoanalytic training; Training analysis; Crisis of psychoanalytic education; Suicide of psychoanalytic institutes; Guidelines for suicide prevention

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Otto F. Kernberg, Come prevenire il suicidio degli istituti psicoanalitici (2012) in "PSICOTERAPIA E SCIENZE UMANE" 3/2026, pp 609-622, DOI: 10.3280/PU2026-003016