Background: Sri Lanka has a high rate of completed suicide and suicide attempts.The commonest method used is pesticide ingestion, which carries with it a tragically high case fatality.The high rate of suicide in the country is likely to be related in part to the easy availability of a potentially lethal method.Further, there is evidence that interpersonal conflict is a common immediate trigger prior to a self poisoning attempt.However the degree of suicidal intent, the attitudes of the person who attempts self poisoning, and their thoughts as to what might be helpful to avoid this event, have not been explored in depth in this country.Objective: To describe the intentions underlying attempted self poisoning, and to describe possible preventive intervention strategies as suggested by those who have recently attempted (non fatal) self poisoning.Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with 12 patients who were admitted to Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, due to intentional self poisoning.Participants were invited to describe the events leading up to the act, together with their perceived motives.They were also asked to describe ways in which they may have coped with similar distress differently (without resorting to self poisoning) in the past, and what strategies they think may help them if a similar situation should arise in the future.Interviews were recorded, transcribed and examined for emerging common themes regarding intentions underling the self-poisoning act, and possible preventive strategies.Results: Results will be presented and implications for development of culturally appropriate intervention strategies will be discussed.