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Objective: Analysis of figures and characteristics of suicide behaviour in the area of Varese and the neighbouring northern towns (Valceresio, the valleys around Luino and northern Verbano), with the purpose of finding out preventing measures., Design: Epidemiological-descriptive survey. The 1995-1997 ISTAT death cards, included in the death files of the former USSL of Varese have been taken into consideration. Only those people who were resident at the suicide moment have been included in the survey. Afterwards the psychiatric service archives were consulted, to find any possible contact between the subjects in the ISTAT files and the psychiatric services themselves. With regard to these patients, some information such as suicide attempts, psychiatric pathology and first contact with the psychiatric services have been pointed out., Setting: Arcisate, Cittiglio, Luino and Varese districts, where the Community Mental Health Services 1 and 2 of "Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Macchi" of Varese operate., Main Outcome Measures: The suicide rates in the studied area have been reckoned and, through direct standardization, the rates of the single districts have been compared., Results: There were 78 suicides (24 females and 54 males): rate of 8.2 per 100,000. In accordance with the national trend, there is evidence of a general reduction of the suicide phenomenon, except among the youngest. Districts of Luino and Arcisate are geographic areas to examine in the time, because a wider sample could reveal a higher risk. Young and elderly people are the most affected among the males and, 55/64-year-old people, both males and females, are at higher risk. Suicide methods vary with the age. A high percentage of subjects are not married and with low education. Less than one third of the subjects had come into contact with the psychiatric service., Conclusions: These data allow a comparison with the national survey and an analysis of the suicide features in the study area. The purpose is to elaborate preventing strategies with multi-dimensional approach whose efficacy may be proved in the future by setting up a provincial observatory.