College health nurses encounter a number of counseling situations, one of which is suicide. The author states that every health service should have a policy for dealing with self-destructive behavior, & that nurse counseling should be a priority. Although some inquiry had to be made as to whether suicide has been considered, the focus of counseling should be on the student’s immediate thoughts & on what is going on in his or her life at the present time. 8 Refs. (NBB)