Two studies done by the Samaritans to: 1) examine the prevalence of suicidal impulses among callers & 2) explore the history of suicidal impulses in groups of Samaritan volunteers were described. Even though the nature of the data did not allow for firm conclusions, it is postulated that in certain circumstances the proportion of the population susceptible to suicidal impulses may be large with the consequence that a random element among suicides in the population at large may be inevitable.