This brief article describes a study in India – where suicide is a crime, forbidden by all religions & carries a social stigma. Due to this, people who attempt suicide & their families are usually unwilling to admit suicidal intent. The authors examined all the cases of poisoning during 1968 in a hospital in Bombay, & after 6 to 10 hours of interviewing per patient, 84% admitted to having suicidal intent. The authors conclude research must be done during the critical early period. (VM)