The author interviewed 117 street youth in Vancouver & Toronto about their experiences & what they thought would be helpful to them. In this qualitative research, interviews were tape recorded & then transcribed. Factors the youth identified as contributing to suicidality were social stigma, drug abuse & addiction, trauma due to violence on the streets, poverty, & involvement in the sex trade. A central theme in the suicide narratives was the experience of being or feeling trapped. 5 strategies for helping these youth are outlined. (10 refs.)