This presentation was structured to introduce background & current work on adolescent parasuicides; to describe the context of the study being presented & the research methodology used; to analyze & describe the results; & to discuss precipitating factors. Possible explanations for parasuicidal behaviour were briefly discussed. The presentation also outlined a model for coping with parasuicides in both the community & specialised settings. The ambiguities of prevention in this area & possible guidelines for future action were briefly mentioned.