A prospective study was conducted to analyse the spectrum of suicide attempters & completers at Kasturba Hospital in Manipal, India from January 2001-December 2004. There was a total sample of 246 cases, 90 of whom died & 156 who survived their attempt. Men outnumbered women in those who died & more women survived than men. 17% of subjects had received a psychiatric consultation, of whom 91.3% were diagnosed in the spectrum of depressive disorders. Knowledge about the legalities of suicide was lacking in 65% of victims & their kin. (25 refs.)