A case-control study of suicide among 2 aboriginal groups & the Han Chinese was carried out in East Taiwan using biographic reconstructive interviews. In all 3 groups, 97-100% of suicides suffered from mental illness. The 2 most prevalent disorders were depression & alcoholism. The risk of suicide was significantly associated with these psychiatric conditions, previous attempts & a family history of suicide & depression. 51% of all suicides had seen a medical professional in the previous month.