The aim of this study was to determine whether space-time & space-time-method clustering occur in a national case register of those who had recent contact with mental health services & had died by suicide & to estimate the suicide imitation rate in this population. Highly significant space-time & space-time-mthod clustering was found in a sample of 2741 people who died by suicide over 4 years who had had recent contact with one of 105 mental health trusts. It is concluded imitative suicide occurs among people with mental illnesses & may account for about 10% of suicides by current & recent patients. (19 refs.)