This letter to the editor comments on suicide in India by referring to recent research reports that suggest suicide rates are grossly underreported, chronic stress & precipitating life events rather than severe mental disorders are the major risk factors for suicide, the depiction of suicide in the mass media is a contributory factor, & a social acceptance of suicide as an option in extreme mental distress. The authors suggest Western understandings & medical models of suicide may not be suited for explaining suicide in developing countries. (6 refs.)