In this summary, the author describes the suicide process: the continuum of thoughts, behavior, & additional experiences that must be explored to understand why a person suicides. Losses such as death, divorce & illness; other traumatic events, especially in early childhood, can contribute to the process. When crises build up, one’s thoughts may turn to suicide, & in a small percentage of people & over time, ambivalence changes to an interest in dying, & finally suicide is attempted. (GW)