Three Strikes And Not Out for Suicidal Man. This story appears in Reuters’ “Oddly Enough” section, but to psychiatric professionals it is not odd at all for someone to repeatedly attempt suicide and fail. Many patients make what we call “low-lethality” or “high-rescue-potential” attempts for a variety of reasons including attention-seeking, ambivalence about ending their life, sadistic urges toward caregivers or family, or to manipulate themselves into psychiatric facilities. Others may be so impaired by their mental illness that, fully intending to die, they are hapless in their attempt. Nevertheless, they are a danger to themselves. What amazes me about this news story is that the man was apparently not hospitalized until after his fourth attempt, which might mean — although not knowing more details of the case makes it difficult to know — that he was not taken seriously. This is a dangerous message to give to a suicidal or quasi-suicidal patient who might respond to the perceived doubt or rejection with renewed attempts.