On Preventing Suicide: Keeping Students With Gifts and Talents on the Plane of Normal Functioning

While most people tend to live their lives operating upon a plane of normal functioning that is relatively healthy and adaptive, there are times when many need support to maintain that level of functioning. Among the approximately 15,000 high school students from across the US participating in the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), nearly 20% reported engaging in some form of suicidal behavior, from ideation to attempting suicide. Professionals and caregivers need to be aware of the trajectory that can lead to these behaviors. The authors present their Spiral Model, which illustrates the downward progression from a Plane of Normal Functioning (PNF) through five descending levels of increasing danger to the survival of the individual. They describe potential risk and protective factors among students with gifts and talents and critical points for intervention.