The report deals with the growing problem of self-destructive behavior among the younger age group and points out the importance of the counselor's role toward a disturbed youngster who spends a major part of the day in school. Defined are three types of acting-out behavior: (1) self-assaultive behavior, (2) self-destructive behavior, and (3) suicidal behavior. The author suggests that the counselor establish the image of a friend to communicate with the student. Two kinds of mental disorders which are often associated with suicide are described: (1) depressive states (manic-depressive psychoses, involutional melancholia, paranoid states, psychotic depressive reactions, depressive neurosis); and (2) schizophrenic reactions (paranoid, schizoaffective, catatonic). The author compares the behavior of an adult to that of a child. Also listed are symptoms of the potentially self-destructive youth and the type of assistance the counselor might offer. (Author/MC)