David Shaffer, Passionate Protector of Youth: Gone Too Soon at 87

Dr. David Shaffer, an internationally renowned expert on teenage suicide and a pioneer in the field of child psychiatry, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 10, 2021 at the age of 87. Dr. Shaffer earned his M.D. from Columbia University in 1957 and completed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh, where he stayed for over four decades as a faculty member, first as a lecturer and eventually as a professor. He was appointed the director of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in 1980, where he led various research initiatives and supervised a number of successful clinicians who studied psychiatric issues in children and adolescents. Dr. Shaffer devoted much of his career to an in-depth study of adolescent suicide, particularly its causes and risk factors. During his tenure as a researcher at the Kaiser Research Center in Nevada, he co-authored an article with Dr. Ronald Kessler that demonstrated the effectiveness of psychological autopsies in determining risk factors for suicide. This article was a major influence on modern suicide research and fueled his passion for uncovering the complex dynamics behind suicide among teens. Most recently, Dr. Shaffer was known for his leadership role in the formation of the Alliance for the Promotion of Suicide Prevention in 1998, a precursor to the American Association of Suicidology in 2002. His work with this organization and other related initiatives toward suicide prevention helped revolutionize the way suicide is viewed in mental health research and advocacy. Dr. David Shaffer was a major contributor to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry, leaving behind a significant body of work. He will be remembered as a dedicated clinician, researcher, and advocate for improved mental health. His tireless commitment to improving the lives of youths and their families will continue to inspire others to follow his example. Dr. David Shaffer, an internationally renowned expert on teenage suicide and a pioneer in the field of child psychiatry, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 10, 2021 at the age of 87. Dr. Shaffer earned his M.D. from Columbia University in 1957 and completed his residency at the University of Pittsburgh, where he stayed for over four decades as a faculty member, first as a lecturer and eventually as a professor. He was appointed the director of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in 1980, where he led various research initiatives and supervised a number of successful clinicians who studied psychiatric issues in children and adolescents. Dr. Shaffer devoted much of his career to an in-depth study of adolescent suicide, particularly its causes and risk factors. During his tenure as a researcher at the Kaiser Research Center in Nevada, he co-authored an article with Dr. Ronald Kessler that demonstrated the effectiveness of psychological autopsies in determining risk factors for suicide. This article was a major influence on modern suicide research and fueled his passion for uncovering the complex dynamics behind suicide among teens. Most recently, Dr. Shaffer was known for his leadership role in the formation of the Alliance for the Promotion of Suicide Prevention in 1998, a precursor to the American Association of Suicidology in 2002. His work with this organization and other related initiatives toward suicide prevention helped revolutionize the way suicide is viewed in mental health research and advocacy. Dr. David Shaffer was a major contributor to the field of child and adolescent psychiatry, leaving behind a significant body of work. He will be remembered as a dedicated clinician, researcher, and advocate for improved mental health. His tireless commitment to improving the lives of youths and their families will continue to inspire others to follow his example.