1st Edition
Bullying, Suicide, and Homicide Understanding, Assessing, and Preventing Threats to Self and Others for Victims of Bullying
In our society, bullying is commonly seen as a normal, inescapable part of growing up that children and adolescents must simply endure. In Bullying, Suicide, and Homicide, Butch Losey challenges this viewpoint, arguing that bullying is not a part of childhood development, but rather an aberrant behavior that, for the victim, can lead to adverse decisions, such as suicide and homicide. He provides a detailed understanding of the relationship between bullying, suicide, and homicide and an assessment and response strategy that can be utilized by mental health professionals who work with children and adolescents. This strategy involves a three stage ecological approach: screening to identify warning signs for bullying, depression, suicide, and violence by means of the Bullying Lethality Identification System (BLIS), developed by Losey and a colleague; assessing the risks of suicide and threats of violence using specially tailored forms and tools; and mediating to identify appropriate interventions. All of the associated tools and forms that the author has created are included as appendices and on the accompanying downloadable resources. Losey’s sensitive and compassionate treatment of this important subject will inform and motivate mental health professionals in their work with victims of bullying.
Persistant Bullying and Suicide as a Viable Option. Effective School Prevention. Inconspicuous Partners: Bullying as a Precursor to Suicide and Homicide. Factors that Increase Risk for Victims of Bullying. Screen. Assess. Mediate. Practical Application of the Bullying Lethality Identification System. Appendix A: BLIS Screening Tool. Appendix B: Suicide Assessment. Appendix C: Threat Assessment. Appendix D: Documentation of Bullying Intervention.
Companion CD: Bullying Lethality Screening Questionnaire for Use by Professionals. Decision Tree. The Negative Bullying Response Continuum for Suicide Assessment. Threat Assessment Guide. Guided Questions for an Unstructured Interview Using the BLSS.
Biography
Butch Losey is the Director of Training for Child Focus, Inc. In addition, he runs a small private clinical practice providing marriage and family counseling. He is also an adjunct professor for Lindsey Wilson School for Professional Counseling. He has over 20 years experience in the mental health field and has worked with residential psychiatric patients, school-based mental health, teens in a partial hospitalization program, families in case management, and individual, group, and family counseling.
"Dr. Losey has developed a must-have set of tools for mental health professionals who work with youth experiencing bullying." - Dawna Cricket Meehan, Coordinator of School Mental Health Projects, Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs, Miami University
"No longer are bullying experiences trivialized. Losey expands on the devastating short and long term effects of bullying while offering a new assessment tool, the Bullying Lethality Identification System, to enhance the possibilities of teens getting the mental health resources needed." - Donna Dickman, Certified Olweus Trainer; Executive Director, Partnership for Violence Free Families
"Dr. Losey is not only knowledgeable on the subject of bullying, but he is also a compassionate professional that uses this knowledge to help children, parents, and educators prevent and identify this problem. I highly recommend this book to mental health professionals." - Joy Wilson, EdD, LPCC-S, New Journey Counseling LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio
"This is a must read for anyone working in the mental health field with those targeted by bullying. Losey uses theory, research, and other people’s personal experiences related to bullying to draw you full circle into why individuals experience suicidal ideation or may threaten violence. I highly recommend this book to fellow mental health professionals and trainers in bullying prevention and intervention." - Paulie Velotta, EdS, LSW, Crossroads Consultation, Training and Education Specialist; Nationally Certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Trainer
"A renowned expert and speaker, Dr Losey is truly a pioneer in this critical field of bullying and it’s severe consequences to our children. His new assessment tool, The Bullying Lethality Identification System, provides understanding of the issues and strong advice for preventing and correcting the problem. A MUST read for all professionals in the field. Even though it is academic, it is also a great resource for parents and families who are affected by bullying; giving them tools to identify and understand the problem, with the knowledge of resources available for their children." - Charles D. Leviton, EdD, MFT, Synergy Seminars, Palm Springs , California, Author of The Conflict Between Us is the Conflict Within Me and The Journey into Self
