18 Swedish patients were interviewed as close as possible to being discharged after a suicide attempt. A qualitative content analysis concerning the meanings, intuitions, consequences, and the context of the data was performed. 3 central categories were identified: being a psychiatric patient; patients’ perceptions of the caregivers & the care provided; as well as important aspects of the care received. The importance of being well cared for & receiving understanding & confirmation was emphasized. Verbal contacts with the staff were seen as essential for the process of healing & for the desire to go on living. (31 refs.)