The book retains the highly practical emphasis of the first edition, with further information based on new official recommendations and recent research findings.

Every year over 100,000 people are admitted to hospital in the UK after deliberately taking overdoses or injuring themselves. Attempted suicide remains the most common reason among women for emergency admission to hospital, and among men it is second only to heart attacks. Apart from the load these cases place on hospital medical and psychiatric staff, they also have a considerable impact on the work of GPs and social workers. Relatives and friends will also be affected by a suicide attempt. The authors of this book have had extensive clinical and research experience in the field. This second edition has been updated, particularly with reference to recent changes in the patterns of attempted suicide - such as the increasing number of adolescent cases; motivational aspects of self-poisoning; and the influences of unemployment. The book retains the highly practical emphasis of the first edition, especially concerning helping people after attempts, with further information based on new official recommendations and recent research findings.