Suicide & homicide rates by age were analyzed for Canada & the USA, indicating that suicide is higher in Canada & that homicide is higher in the USA. Results indicated a positive association between homicide & suicide rates in the USA but not in Canada. Using measures devised by Easterlin (1980) & Ahlburg & Schapiro (1984), the correlation between the size of youth cohort & the suicide rates of youths aged 15-24 was negative. The patterns found may be explained from a historical perspective.