Welcome to Suicidal Behavior Across the Lifespan

PSY 4990 & PSY 6990

Michael R. Nadorff, Ph.D.mnadorff@psychology.msstate.edu

Goals for TodayBriefly introduce you to the instructorBrief discussion of why studying suicide is

importantReview the syllabus/provide overview of the

class

Why I Study SuicideFor me, it is my grandmotherDied by suicide April 26, 1976Left me with a lot of unanswered questions

Academic LineageB.A. Psychology and Computer Applications, University

of Notre DameNo one studied suicide so I worked with Dr. John

McIntosh at Indiana University – South Bend

Academic LineageM.S. & Ph.D., West Virginia University – Clinical

PsychologyWent because several suicide researchers were thereTaught a undergraduate course on suicidal behaviorBegan my research program examining the association between sleep, suicide, and aging

Academic LineageClinical Internship, Baylor College of Medicine –

Geriatric Mental Health Care and ResearchWorked at Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael

E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston VA) Got to work with Dr. Tom Ellis at the Menninger Clinic (one of

the nicest people I have ever met)

How To Reach MeMichael R. Nadorff, Ph.D.Office: 140 Magruder Hall, Suite 4Email: mnadorff@psychology.msstate.eduOffice Hours: By appointment

Required Materials Jobes (2006) Managing Suicide Risk: A Collaborative

Approach Joiner (2005) Why People Die By Suicide Joiner (2010) Myths About SuicideKing, Foster, & Rogalski (2013) Teen Suicide Risk: A

Practitioner’s Guide to Screening, Assessment, and Management

Weekly QuizzesThere are a total of 3 quizzes, each worth 50

pointsQuizzes are open from Tuesday at 1:00 AM

until the next Monday, closing at 11:59 PMAlthough open that whole time, I encourage

you not to take a quiz at the last minute

Since there is a week to take each quiz there are no make-ups or extensions!

Two Ways To Take The QuizOption 1:

Take the quiz at home using Respondus Lockdown Browser (free download from MSU)

Books, notes, phones, friends, etc. are not allowed, honor code is in force

~45 seconds per question (25 questions, so 20 minute time limit)

Two Ways To Take The QuizOption 2:

Schedule an appointment to take the quiz in the instructor’s lab using Respondus Lockdown Browser

Books, notes, phones, friends, etc. are not allowed, honor code is in force. Quiz proctored by instructor.

Unlimited timeIf you require accommodations and have them

documented with Student Support Services please let me know, I will work with you to make it work.

Bad/Funny Looking Quiz ItemsMyCourses sometimes does funny things to

quiz questions, and does not like %s, ‘s, and sometimes doesn’t put an all of the above answer at the bottom

If you encounter one of these, please email me immediately after the quizI will look into it, and if I think it negatively

affected your performance, I will give you credit.

It will also enable me to correct it for your fellow students

4990 Grading Scale3 quizzes worth 50 points each equals 150

pointsFinal exam is worth 100 pointsSuicide assessment checkout is worth 50

pointsClass participation is worth 25 points

Grade Percentage PointsA 90+% 293 – 325 ptsB 80 – 89.9% 260 – 292 ptsC 70 – 79.9% 228 – 259 ptsD 60 – 69.9% 195 – 227 ptsF < 60% 0 – 194 pts

6990 Grading Scale3 quizzes worth 50 points each equals 150

pointsFinal exam is worth 100 pointsSuicide assessment checkout is worth 50

pointsClass participation is worth 25 pointsResearch paper is worth 100 points

Grade Percentage PointsA 90+% 383 – 425 ptsB 80 – 89.9% 340 – 382 ptsC 70 – 79.9% 298 – 339 ptsD 60 – 69.9% 255 – 297 ptsF < 60% 0 – 254 pts

LecturesLecture slides will be posted on MyCourses

to facilitate your studying.

If a concept is not covered by the instructor, and you have a question about it, it is your responsibility to ask the instructor prior to taking the quiz.

Any Questions?Ask me via email

mnadorff@psychology.msstate.edu. Email is better than calling as my phone does not indicate when I get voice mails.