Mental health policies & services were assessed in the Republic of Lithuania. Analysis of contextual factors revealed high levels of social pathology, including suicide & other self-destructive behaviours, with stigmatizing approaches by the general population to mentally disturbed persons & other vulnerable groups. A national suicide prevention strategy was still awaiting government approval in 2004. Improvement in quality of life is one of the 3 principal aims of the Lithuanian Health Programme. With regard to mental health, one objective is to reduce the suicide rate to the European average of 25 per 100,000 from the current rate of 45 per 100,000. (18 refs.)