The implications of viewing the decision to kill oneself as a rational choice, based on an analysis of the costs & benefits, were explored. Suicide is but one symptom for an individual in distress to choose, & if suicide is prevented, other symptoms may appear in its place. Similarly, a critical question to be asked in suicide prevention is whether restriction of the availability of one method for suicide (such as detoxifying domestic gas or car exhaust) will result in suicidal individuals switching to a different method for suicide or to a different symptom of distress. (14 refs)