The baseline serum total cholesterol concentration of 37,635 adults was determined in 5 independent population surveys conducted during 1972-1992 in Finland. Mortality from different causes of death was monitored for a mean of 14.6 years after the survey dates. There were 130 violent suicide & 46 nonviolent suicides. Serum total cholesterol concentration was found to be positively related to the risk of violent suicide. Among subjects whose serum total cholesterol concentration was in the highest category, the adjusted relative risk was more than twofold compared with the lowest category. The violent/nonviolent suicide ratio increased linearly with increasing cholesterol category. (13 refs.)