Florida State University professor Thomas Joiner is scheduled to present “Why People Die By Suicide: The Three Factors That Mark Those Most at Risk of Death” on Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. at the Fargo Theatre. The event, which is free and open to the public, is part of the NDSU College of Science and Mathematics’ Community Lectureship Series. 

Joiner is the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Florida State University. In his new theory of suicidal behavior, Joiner proposes three factors that mark those most at risk of death: the feeling of being a burden on loved ones; the sense of isolation; and, perhaps chillingly, the learned ability to hurt oneself.

Joiner tests the theory against diverse facts taken from clinical anecdotes, history, literature, popular culture, anthropology, epidemiology, genetics and neurobiology. The facts include suicide rates among men and women; white and African-American men; anorexics, athletes, prostitutes and physicians; members of cults, sports fans and citizens of nations in crisis.

The event is sponsored by the NDSU College of Science and Mathematics.

For more information and special accommodation needs, contact Diane Goede at 701-231-7412 or diane.goede@ndsu.edu.

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