David Shaffer, widely respected pioneer in child and teenage suicide and professor emeritus of Columbia University Medical Center, died at age 87 of heart failure on December 28th, 2020. He was a global figure who dedicated his life to suicide prevention and research.
Dr. Shaffer was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1933 and received his MD from the University of Minnesota in 1957. During his distinguished medical career he published more than 400 scientific papers, seven books on topics such a suicide and mental health, and major government reports.
He was one of the first clinicians in the world to recognize the extent and seriousness of child and adolescent suicide, forming the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division at Columbia University in 1981, which he served as director for 30 years. He was also the founding editor of the academic journal, “Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention” as well as a leader in the formation of the American Association of Suicidology.
Dr. Shaffer’s work helped to revolutionize suicide risk assessments, resulting in improved ways of predicting and preventing suicides among troubled youth, and thus improving the lives of millions of children everywhere. He also understood the importance of involving families when attempting to help children or teenagers facing mental health issues, emphasizing the support system as an important tool to use when attempting to prevent suicides.
He was highly respected by the field of psychiatry throughout his life, and was awarded numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Joseph Zubin Award for Distinguished Contributions to Mental Health. Dr. Shaffer’s legacy will continue to shape the way we approach suicide prevention, both through his research and the dedication of those who follow in his footsteps.
David Shaffer, widely respected pioneer in child and teenage suicide and professor emeritus of Columbia University Medical Center, died at age 87 of heart failure on December 28th, 2020. He was a global figure who dedicated his life to suicide prevention and research.
Dr. Shaffer was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1933 and received his MD from the University of Minnesota in 1957. During his distinguished medical career he published more than 400 scientific papers, seven books on topics such a suicide and mental health, and major government reports.
He was one of the first clinicians in the world to recognize the extent and seriousness of child and adolescent suicide, forming the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division at Columbia University in 1981, which he served as director for 30 years. He was also the founding editor of the academic journal, “Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention” as well as a leader in the formation of the American Association of Suicidology.
Dr. Shaffer’s work helped to revolutionize suicide risk assessments, resulting in improved ways of predicting and preventing suicides among troubled youth, and thus improving the lives of millions of children everywhere. He also understood the importance of involving families when attempting to help children or teenagers facing mental health issues, emphasizing the support system as an important tool to use when attempting to prevent suicides.
He was highly respected by the field of psychiatry throughout his life, and was awarded numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Joseph Zubin Award for Distinguished Contributions to Mental Health. Dr. Shaffer’s legacy will continue to shape the way we approach suicide prevention, both through his research and the dedication of those who follow in his footsteps.
