This paper focuses on attempted suicide rates among the Chinese (112/100000), Malays (51/100000) & Indians (344/100000) & why there are such great differences between them. The author argues that Indian women are subjected to frustrations & stresses in their roles as daughters, wives & daughters-in-law; with no outlet for venting this frustration, women resort to attempted suicide as a cry for help. The need for achievement, materialism & dependence on men are factors among the Chinese women. 17 refs.