Editorial

It is with great humility as well as excitement that I assume the editorship of Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior (SLTB) effective November 1, 1996. It is indeed an honor to follow in the footsteps of SLTB's founding editor, Edwin Shneidman, and current editor, Ronald Maris. Ed created a first-class journal and laid its cornerstone, and Ron expanded its domain and influence, adding new sections and perspectives. I hope to continue to build upon SLTB's foundation and structure as the premier reference for the most significant research and theories in suicidology.

The potential for expanding the voice of suicidology in North America and internationally through the journal will be enhanced by the vision, resources, and energy of those American Association of Suicidology (AAS) members I will be asking to join me on the Editorial Board. To that end, I have solicited feedback from the current Editorial Board on changes they wish to have me consider for the future. By way of this editorial, I am asking the readership of SLTB and the membership of AAS to submit ideas, viewpoints, and constructive critiques to me as I begin to assume the editorship of the journal.

I will consider expanding the SLTB presence through electronic media, including a web page on the Internet. I plan to introduce a regular editorial that will highlight and synthesize the contents of each issue, so that the reader can quickly gain an overview of the emerging themes and controversial issues in suicidology. I hope to balance each issue with original articles that represent the depth and breadth of current activity in the field, from historical and theoretical perspectives to current clinical insights and biological findings.

I hope to convey to AAS members and our broader readership how exciting and multidimensional the field has become. In the process, I hope to be responsive to the multiple disciplines and orientations that compose the membership of AAS. I would like to see publishable articles emerging from each division within AAS, and many more articles authored by active AAS members. I believe that it is essential that SLTB remain true to its roots in being representative of all the constituents of our association. To that end, I will work to ensure coordination and complementarity of topics and newsworthy items with the editors of Newslink and Surviving Suicide.

It will be my responsibility to ensure that SLTB remains the premier scientific journal in the field of suicidology, while at the same time it highlights and promotes the work of AAS to the national and international community of professionals engaged in addressing suicide and life-threatening behaviors. This task cannot be undertaken without your support, active involvement, and understanding of the importance of our journal within the field of suicidology. I ask that the readership of SLTB and the members of AAS take this opportunity to join me in this endeavor.