Over the past year we have seen an alarming number of teenagers who choose burning as a method of suicide. These cases of self-immolation have all resulted in severe burns.The suicidal adolescent on the bum unit poses a special challenge for the bum nurse. Much time and energy must be devoted to meeting the psychological needs of both the adolescent and their family, within constraints of the bum I.C.U.This article will examine the history and risk factors associated with self-immolation. Three case studies of the adolescents we have seen and a sample nursing care plan will be presented. Nursing attitudes towards the self-immolator on the bum unit will also be identified.