The psychological relationships among object loss, the mourning process & suicidal behavior are examined. Material for this study is derived from the treatment of 6 suicidal patients in long-term psychotherapy. It is hyothesized that suicidal behavior results from an arrested grief reaction when the subject is unable to complete the process of mourning & further, that the suicide’s loss reaction is brought about by pre-existing deficiencies in self-esteem & individuation. (NBB)