An analysis of data of 15 European centres participating in the repetition-prediction part of the WHO/EURO Multicentre study showed that of all suicide attempters, 54% reported at least one suicidal model. 4% reported 4 or 5 models. In most of the cases the latest model for attempters was a friend or colleague. More than every fourth attempter had his or her contact with the model behaviour in a treatment facility. 25% of attempters were either physically present during the model act, in telephone contact with the model, or contacted immediately before or after the model act. Implications are discussed. (7 refs)