This paper reports the results of an investigation into lay and health worker responses to parasuicide using case vignette and repertory grid techniques. The major objective of the study was to explore similarities and differences in attitudes between staff working in a specialist treatment centre and staff working in a conventional medical environment. Little difference in attitudes was found between treatment environments. On the other hand, considerable attitudinal variation between staff groups was evident. Compared to physicians, psychiatrists were significantly more likely to agree that parasuicides are rewarding and challenging to care for, patients they can “really help”. Both physicians and nurses were less willing than psychiatrists to impute a suicidal motivation in parasuicide. Nevertheless, there was an overall tendency for staff to view parasuicide patients in a positive and sympathetic manner. They were more likely than the lay public to agree that parasuicide is understandable and a possible way of dealing with problems; and less likely to agree that parasuicide is immoral or should be punished.