[Repeated suicide attempts: a need for continued care]

Prevention of deliberate self-harm, especially suicide attempts, remains difficult and this puts a great burden on the family as well as on the health-care professionals. The risk of a subsequent suicide attempt or a successful suicide is high while the behaviour is often met with antipathy, a feeling of helplessness and anger. This is in conflict with the needs of the patient; every suicide attempt requires the health-care professionals involved to exhibit a emphatic, patient and serious attitude, even when patients refuse to cooperate, are restless, aggressive or unwilling to communicate. Prevention of the suicidal behaviour can only be achieved this way.