Year: 1988 Source: Harper's, v.276, no.1654, (1988), p.45-54 SIEC No: 19901094

The author illustrates various aspects involved in contemplating suicide in a casual and non-technical manner, using personal life examples and popular issues. Issues focused on are aging and gender. A mock conversation with a fifty year old man who wants to kill himself is included. Male and female suicide attempts and completions are compared. The author believes that suicidal thoughts which are non-chemical in nature can be alleviated with love for the other people in one’s life.