It is impossible to draw conclusions about suicide from statistics alone, since suicide is a personal act and statistics are impersonal. An ad hoc study of 140 cases of attempted suicide indicates the psychological nature of suicidal acts. The presuicidal episode is considered primarily as an intrapsychic event, with loss, depression, etc. serving as triggers which set off a psychological chain reaction. Details of the presuicidal episode are described. (6 refs.) (RM)