This study examined rates of suicide by Tasmanians less than 20 years of age, compared them with rates for Australia as a whole, & reported a clinical study of child & adolescent self-harm in Tasmania. During 1965-1991, the suicide rate in Tasmanian males aged 15-19-years was higher than that of mainland Australian males & had increased during the last 10 years of this period. Suicide rates for males in Tasmania & the mainland were higher than rates for females. Self-harm in adolescence was associated with serious personal & interpersonal problems. The formation of multidisciplinary teams for the immediate assessment & support of self-harming adolescents & their parents is recommended. (17 refs.)