A simple psychosocial crisis is differentiated from a psychiatric crisis; the former is usually a non-pathological phenomenon, which may result in a pathological development. As one critical assumption, the authors consider suicide potential. The problem of suicide & family is emphasized in regard to biological-genetic & psychosocial aspects. Finally, referral to prophylactic-therapeutic interventions for psychosocial crisis & manifest suicidal tendency is made. (18 refs.)