ABSTRACT
Explanations for a suicide attempt as, for example, an unhappy love affair, or insoluble work problems, or money difficulties do not cover the seriousness of the act, which we believe has a much more serious meaning and should always be taken as a sign of acute mental ill health. Adolescents frequently show such great variations in mood and behaviour that they find it difficult to remember the upsetting things on their 'good days'. And so it was with Joyce, who could not understand why she was being kept in hospital. She now felt almost well, and she hated the boredom and restrictions of the ward. During the four months Joyce spent in hospital, the question of future therapy was discussed with her and with her parents, but they all had very mixed feelings about it. Unfortunately, one cannot rule out the possibility that Joyce might make further attempts at suicide.
