This Letter to the Editor discusses views on suicide prevention ranging from it being a societal obligation to being culturally not permissible. The author outlines 3 essential steps for activities directed at helping the suicidal & minimizing the incidence of suicide. He believes assistance in the process of dying should be aimed at achievement of a “humanistic’ suicide. 6 consequences of any slackening of the taboo on homicide are outlined as well as 4 consequences of the present policies.