Family-based crisis intervention is a means of assessing the suicide risk following a suicide attempt and, at the same time, a psychotherapeutic concept for the secondary prevention of suicide. Immediately after a suicide attempt, the patient's relevant relationships, most often the family members, are integrated into the diagnostic process, as well as in the crisis intervention plan following. The concept is based on crisis theory, family therapy and salutogenetic considerations. Following a 7-item model and a case report, the course of a family-based crisis intervention is illustrated in detail. To assess the therapeutic value of this method, which requires considerable time and commitment, controlled comparative studies are indicated.