This article draws attention to various observations that contribute to the prevention of suicides in highly suicidal patients. The article includes in its findings a statistically significant association between long-term lithium treatment & reduced mortality & suicidal behaviour. It also examines why the number of suicide attempts was 6-15 times lower for those patients who on lithium, compared to those patients that were not on lithium. When lithium treatment was discontinued, the mortality & rates of suicidal behaviour increased. (AK)