APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. a multiprofessional discipline devoted to the study of suicidal phenomena and their prevention. Major groups involved are (a) scientists (epidemiologists, sociologists, statisticians, demographers, and social psychologists), (b) clinicians (clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, trained volunteers, and members of the clergy), and (c) educators (public health educators and school and college personnel). The term suicidology was coined by Edwin S. Shneidman, a founder of the discipline.