The presenter made a philosophical exploration of basic issues in suicide prevention. The first question posed was whether suicide is ever rational. The discussion then moved to whether or not a counsellor should intervene; it is asserted the therapist has a duty to intervene if there are signs of ambivalence. The discussion ended with thoughts on the therapist’s influence during psychotherapy, suggesting the therapist may lend enough ego strength to the patient to make a decision about suicide &, in this sense, the therapist has given permission to the patient to suicide.