This study analysed whether white suicide rates are lower where civic participation is strong & where a strong social institutional structure exists. Negative binominal regression analyses of race/sex/age disaggregated suicide regressed on indices of civic community are conducted for a sample of more than 1400 American nonmetropolitan counties. White male & female suicide rates are for the most part substantially lower in civically stronger communities. The pattern is evident for both younger & older age groups. Civically strong communities provide some insulation against structural sources of suicide, & public health officials should consider the civic infrastructure of communities when planning community level intervention/prevention strategies. (16 refs.) JA