A survey has been made of 38 studies of Australasian medical & hospital experiences with self destructive behavior in the last decade. The range & depth of the data recorded in the 38 studies have been analysed & reported together with comments on some other multivariate studies from overseas. The implications of these studies for the current medical views about attempted & completed suicide (are they 2 distinct types or do they lie on a continuum?) are discussed within our cultural framework.