The author discusses suicide in Great Britain, especially his own experiences with disturbed patients. The discussion is illustrated with vignettes, statistics, & observations. He disputes the belief that suicide is committed by cowards or crazy people, & emphasises the role of depression or dispiritment (reactive depression) & attendant shame. He also describes distinguishing features of endogenous depression, & notes that the loss of religious faith can be a warning sign of suicide. (RM)