This article notes that despite the strong association between mental disorders & suicide, suicidal behavior attracts little interest among contemporary psychiatrists, as witnessed by the low number of contributions to suicidology journals. As a result, argues the author, little is new in suicide prevention, & the current recommendations & traditional wisdom are hardly supported by an acceptable level of evidence. Promising research areas, traditional difficulties, trends in suicide rates, & anti-suicide strategies are discussed. (18 refs)