This study compared the characteristics of note-leavers at 2 different points in time. The characteristics of 316 note-leavers in 2000 in Hong Kong were compared to note-leavers in 1992. The proportion of people who left suicide notes increased from 20% to 35%, a change that may be related to changes in suicide methods. Note-leavers in 2000 were characterized as individuals aged 25-59 years old, employed, with no physical illness, no psychiatric illness, & dying as a result of charcoal burning. Present data suggest the reasons for leaving suicide notes may have changed over the study period. (14 refs.)