The literature on adolescent suicide attempts is reviewed. The demographic, familial, psycho-pathological features distinguishing this group from adolescents without suicidal behaviours are presented. Adolescent suicidal behaviours can be seen as maladaptive coping mechanisms engendered by a group of adolescents to escape from or show their distress. A fragile social support network is a significant predisposing factor. However, the distinction between those who are suicidal & those who are non-suicidal but psychiatrically disturbed is still unclear. The need for systematic studies on this group of young people is highlighted. (40 refs.)