THE SERIES OF SIX FILMSTRIPS WITH TWO CASSETTES OPENS WITH AN EXAMPLE TAKEN FROM SYLVIA PLATH'S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL 'THE BELL JAR,' AND EXPLAINS HOW THE AUTHOR'S WRITINGS AND LIFE HAVE HELPED FOCUS ATTENTION ON SUICIDE. IT THEN EXAMINES WAYS IN WHICH SUICIDE HAS BEEN VIEWED AND DEALT WITH IN THE PAST. THE RELIGIOUS VIEW OF SUICIDE AS A SIN IS DISCUSSED, AND THE LEGAL VIEW OF SUICIDE AS A CRIME IS CONSIDERED. STATISTICS SHOW THAT ABOUT HALF A MILLION AMERICANS ATTEMPT SUICIDE EACH YEAR, AND AGE, RACE, CLASS, AND SEX ARE NOT SIGNIFICANT FACTORS OF SUICIDE. THE FILMSTRIP PRESENTS VARIOUS THEORIES OF SUICIDE DEVELOPED BY PERSONS SUCH AS EMILE DURKHEIM AND SIGMUND FREUD. SUICIDAL PERSONS OFTEN GIVE WARNING SIGNALS ABOUT THEIR INTENTIONS. THESE INCLUDE ACTUAL STATEMENTS OF SUICICAL INTENT, PREOCCUPATION WITH DEATH, SEVERE DEPRESSION, EXTREME BEHAVIORAL CHANGES, AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS. PEOPLE WISHING TO HELP SUICIDAL ACQUAINTANCES SHOULD TALK TO THEM AND TRY TO DISPEL THEIR FEELINGS OF LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION, AND OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL HELP FOR THE PERSONS FROM SUICIDE PREVENTION CENTERS OR MEDICAL HEALTH CLINICS. A TEXT WITH STUDY QUESTIONS ACCOMPANIES THE FILMSTRIPS AND CASSETTES. (DAG)