Trends in suicide in the Northern Territory between 1981-2002 were examined as were demographic & other characteristics of people who died by suicide in the Top End region in 2000-2002. The age-adjusted suicide rate increased significantly between 1981-2002 with rates among the Indigenous & non-Indigenous male population increasing by 800% & 30%, respectively. In the Top End, a history of diagnosed mental illness was present in 49% of suicide cases, & misuse of alcohol or other drugs around the time of death was associated with 72% of suicide cases. (23 refs.)