Political, social & economic changes have led to wide scale social stress in Georgia in recent years & to related psychosocial & behavioural problems. Difficult economic conditions & internal displacement are thought to be key contributory factors to the 3-fold increase in the number of suicides in the decade after independence. A written mental health policy, including provision for suicide prevention, has been produced but the lack of resources, training, & community awareness is hampering its implementation. (14 refs.)