In this paper an overview of cross-cultural differences in suicide rates in Europe is provided & possible factors that may influence these differences are discussed. Some of these factors were tested in a study of completed suicides in Slovenia as an example of a high suicide rate country. Specific suicide rates &/or trends were obtained for the population as a whole, both genders, different age groups, ethnic groups, marital status, education attainment, weekly & regional distribution of suicide. (45 refs.)