Suicide: The Clinical Problem

Abstract

In one of the outer suburbs of Sydney, along the jagged Pacific coastline, there is a high cliff known as “The Gap” which is notorious for the frequency with which it attracts, often fatally, the person with suicidal intent. Recently a young man entered a Sydney taxi-cab and asked to be driven to an address in the street which leads to this particular area. Having settled comfortably in the front seat he announced cheerfully to the driver, “Well, this is certainly going to be my last ride!” To his apparent surprise and annoyance, his cab promptly deposited him at the nearest police-station, from where he was removed, under considerable protest, to a psychiatric hospital for observation.