Attempted suicide is a bodily & risky “cry for help”, but a cry with almost certain success, as the bodily self-damage forces significant others to show indulgent behavior. As this indulgence has the actual function of relieving others from feelings of guilt & from real social pressures, it very often diminishes with time, so the effect of the “attempted suicide strategy” proves to be brief. Epidemiological findings & consequences of this approach for the management of attempts are discussed.