The differences between Chinese suicide victims with & without mental disorders were examined. 66 suicides (45 with mental disorders, 21 without) & 66 living controls were studied with psychological autopsy interviews. Suicides with & without psychiatric diagnoses had significant differences in many demographic & social factors. In comparison to suicides with psychiatric diagnoses, suicides without psychiatric diagnoses were younger, better educated, had higher income, were more likely to use pesticides or other poisons, were less likely to have a history of prior suicide attempts, had less long-term life events & more recent life events, & scored lower on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. It is concluded these two groups might represent two different populations. (18 refs.)