This article synthesizes the epidemiology & risk factors associated with suicide among American Indians, barriers to research, prevention, mental-health services, & recommendations for research & practice. The authors present significant substantive & methodological issues that inform research on suicide in American Indian communities, as well as existing contemporary interventions. Overall, socioeconomic characteristics, substance abuse, barriers to mental health services & acculturation play a role in the occurrence of suicide in American Indian communities. (50 refs.)