I have found that in order to work with a suicidal patient I have had to understand the nature and function of their pre-suicide state of mind, which is influenced by a suicide fantasy that reflects the self's aggressive relationship with its body and its primary objects.  Working with Suicidal Patients begins with Freud's view in Mourning and Melancholia (1917) that "sadism alone ... solves the riddle of the tendency to suicide..." and will explore the nature of ruthless and sadistic violence.  Five common suicide fantasies will be discussed and illustrated with clinical vignettes.  The father's critical role in the outcome of a pre-suicide state will be described with particular attention to the way it is experienced in the counter-transference.

The workshop will begin with a talk by Donald Campbell, followed by a case presentation and discussion (the presentation will be given by an SIP member)