Reviewed 33 cases of suicide occurring in general medical & neuropsychiatric hospitals for diagnostic & demographic characteristics & probable causes. Proportionately fewer suicides were found than would be expected from the percentage of older patients in both hospital populations, especially neuropsychiatric hospitals. Older callers to a community agency (e.g. suicide prevention centre) were also proportionately fewer than expected. Clinical vignettes illustrate some of the cases & calls.