Data from a center for homeless & runaway youth are presented in order to summarize the major mental health problems faced by these youth. In a sample of 100 subjects, 32 reported no experience with suicide, 58 reported suicidal ideation, 30 reported suicidal gestures & 45 reported suicide attempts. Indicators related to behavioural & environmental variables that may help in the development of intervention & prevention strategies for this population are also identified. (7 refs.)