The authors report a new treatment approach for suicide attempters in which the patient’s condition, the measures taken to save his life, & the reactions of his family are recorded on videotape when the patient is brought to the emergency room. After psychotherapy has begun, the patient views the videotape. This method challenges the patient’s denial of despair & sucidal intent by confronting him with the consequences of his suicidal behaviour. The authors point out the potential usefulness of videotape confrontation for a broad spectrum of self-destructive patients. (22 refs)