No one is born wanting to die. It is a simple truth, but one that points to a difficult and complex question often left in the wake of suicide: what happened? What happened along the way, to your friend, family member, coworker, or boss. When, and why, did they lose the will to live? What was the source of their pain, their despair?

New research on a population that is highly predisposed to suicidal thoughts—lawyers—offers important clues and lessons about suicidality that on one hand are specific to the legal profession, and on the other hand may transcend career choice to offer anyone a cautionary warning about our priorities, choices and boundaries.