This article presents a taxonomy of factors related to suicidal behaviour. Several categories of factors are presented: pathological states, phenomenological states, self-destructive processes, personality traits, chronic stressors, acute stressors, facilitators of suicide, background factors & symptomatic factors. The model yields 3 types of suicidal behaviour, provides an interactive perspective of the causes of suicide, & opens up avenues for research & evaluation. (149 refs.)