To assess whether exposure to television is a risk factor for young adult suicide, suicide trends were compared between the USA, Canada & South Africa, 1949-85. Major increases occurred in all 3 countries even though there there was no television broadcasting in South Africa prior to 1975. Nonspecific exposure to television is not a risk factor for young adult suicide. Television producers still need to be judicious in portrayals & discussion of suicide because of the risks of imitative suicide.