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I'm doing the analysis for several characters who happen to be contemplating taking their own lives. While I'm not someone interested in this myself, I'd like to seek resources without wasting the time of critical professionals and certainly without interfering with or exhausting people who might find themselves in this category: I am not writing a documentary, I'm writing a novel.

There are blogs, etc but are there any quintessential resources directly related to author sensitivities, language usage, and so on - without interfering with any real-life subjects? e.g., I don't want to interview someone; this is fiction, I just want to know the correct language.

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    You can look at specific critiques of suicide-related programs and books (13 reasons, eg caught some flak) and compile a list of 'what not to do.' You can find other such programs and books that have been recognized for their appropriate treatment of the subject and use that as a 'good' guide. E.g. fivebooks.com/best-books/suicide-johanna-reiss If you plan to publish traditionally, you can ask for a sensitivity reader.
    – SFWriter
    Commented May 16, 2019 at 16:55
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    There are tons of online resources about suicide, all aimed at different sets of people (different ages, genders, sexual orientations, professions, ethnicity, etc). Plus if you go to your local library you'll find a big shelf full of books. There are often drop-in centers or, more often, general community resource centers with brochures and etc. If there's no one else there, you can chat with the staff if they're up for it.
    – Cyn
    Commented May 16, 2019 at 17:25
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    What are you looking for exactly? Clinical cases, support material for people contemplating suicide, some aspects of the psychology of self-harm?
    – NofP
    Commented May 16, 2019 at 20:50
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    @NofP - The contemplation and completion of the suicides happen early on and I'm not too worried about the dialogue of the young people. Handling the narrative (as the author) in this fiction, I want to be updated in 2019 sensitivities in language, et al. The intended audience is young adult and adults and dealing with the grief is a sidebar to the overall narrative. I love all of the comments so far, thanks!
    – Mikey
    Commented May 17, 2019 at 15:37
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    I answered this question here: psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/8105/…
    – Busty Nurse
    Commented May 17, 2019 at 20:08

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I would start with the literature produced by suicide prevention programs.

Its targeting the minds of people considering suicide and its trying to educate people of the warning signs, and how to help. This will provide you with insight into the mental frame of your characters

Then, you can access research materials produced by psychologists and social workers studying this field. You can find their work at your local university. If that isn’t convenient, then you can use google books to access past publications. I found this journal in only a few minutes searching

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    Welcome to writing.se! Take the tour for the usual badges and visit the help center for additional guidance. This is a great first answer. Thanks for contributing and happy writing!
    – linksassin ♦
    Commented Jun 13, 2019 at 7:08

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