This study was undertaken to describe the characteristics of adults aged 60 years & over who committed suicide in Quebec in 1998-1999. In this study, 42.6% of the suicide cases presented mental disorders at the time of their death, mainly depression. 65.3% would have been considered as having a mental disorder if sub-threshold depression cases were included. Only 27.7% of the cases did not express any idea of death during the 6-month period preceding their suicide. 53.5% consulted a doctor during the week before their death. (71 refs)