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A Transpersonal Theory of Healing Following Youth Suicide

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Abstract

Youth suicide is a complex and perplexing public health problem. This article presents a brief overview of related literature, describes a transpersonal theory of healing following youth suicide, and provides practice implications. Individual healing is conceptually described as a transpersonal journey characterized by the inter-relationships among three healing patterns: Self-reflection (thinking), Self-care (acting), and Self-transcendence (being). During our interactions with survivors, as professionals, we need to be mindful that we do not inadvertently and prematurely abort the self-transcendent healing pattern. One way of facilitating healing is to be fully present with survivors in each and every moment.

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  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada

    Ruth Grant Kalischuk & Gary Nixon

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  1. Ruth Grant Kalischuk
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  2. Gary Nixon
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Correspondence to Gary Nixon.

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Kalischuk, R.G., Nixon, G. A Transpersonal Theory of Healing Following Youth Suicide. Int J Ment Health Addiction 7, 389–402 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-009-9193-5

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