The aim of the current study was to determine which variable would be a better predictor of suicide risk: perceived social support or serum cholesterol level. Perceived social support was found to be a better predictor for African Americans. Depressed patients with a history of suicide attempt had a significantly lower serum cholesterol level, scored significantly higher on the Suicide Risk Scale, & scored significantly lower on the Perceived Social Support Scale than did those with no history of suicide attempt. (43 refs)