This study was undertaken to determine whether there were ethnic & social variations in parasuicide in the population of Singapore. A review of all hospital records of parasuicide from a teaching hospital between 1991 & 1995 revealed a general upward trend of cases admitted from 1991 to 1995. Young females appeared to be the most vulnerable, & the Indian community was found to have significantly higher risk of parasuicide compared to the Chinese & Malays. Overdose of medication was found to be the most common method. The authors suggest that differences in parasuicide rates amongst the three ethnic communities can be attributed to various socio-cultural factors. (41 refs)