In a sample of suicides in 1 district health authority, 61% had had contact with health services during the year prior to death, suggesting that improvements in these services could have an impact on the overall suicide rate. However, the proportion who had had prior contact varied between different age & sex groups & individuals in groups with the higher suicide rates tended to have the least contact. Therefore, the authors conclude that the impact of health service improvement on the overall suicide rate may be limited. (4 refs)