Suicide and the relational system: a case study in a mental hospital.

An investigation in a mental hospital that served as a training center for psychiatric residents revealed that periods of high suicide rates among patients tended to follow upon a decrease in interaction between some authority holders and residents and turnover among top-ranking psychiatrists; and tended to be associated with a low ratio of older to new residents. These instances represent conditions in which residents were likely to lack the support that is needed for a feeling of competence in dealing with patients.