A comparison of in & outpatient hospital admissions for suicide attempts in the urban community of North Haven (1955-70) revealed an 11 fold increase in attempts. Epidemiologic & demographic factors are examined. A review of studies from Great Britain, Australia & Israel revealed similar findings as to the increase in attempts over the past decade & the characteristic of the attempters, which suggest that the New Haven findings are representative of an urban trend. 33 ref. (NBB)