In the wake of a suicide, the most troubling questions are invariably themost difficult to answer: how could we have known? What could wehave done? And always, unremittingly: why? Written by a clinicalpsychologist whose own life has been touched by suicide, this bookoffers the clearest account ever given of why some people choose todie. Drawing on extensive clinical and epidemiological evidence, aswell as personal experience. Thomas Joiner brings a comprehensiveunderstanding to seemingly incomprehensible behaviour. Among themany people who have considered, attempted, or died by suicide, hefinds three factors that mark those most at risk of death: the feeling ofbeing a burden on loved ones; the sense of isolation; and, chillingly, the learned ability to hurt oneself