Anliegen und Methode: Die Bedeutung einzelner psychiatrischer Achse-I-Störungen als Risikofaktoren für Suizid wurde in verschiedenen Altersgruppen mit einer kontrollierten psychologischen Autopsiestudie untersucht. Ergebnisse: In einer logistischen Regression erzielten signifikant erhöhte Odds Ratios bei 61 - 75-Jährigen Einzelepisode einer Major Depression, bei Männern im Alter von über 30 Jahren (Altersgruppen: 31 - 45, 46 - 60 und 61 - 75 Jahre) Störungen durch Konsum von Alkohol und bei 61 - 75-jährigen Frauen organische psychische Störungen. Schlussfolgerungen: Störungen durch Konsum von Alkohol und Major Depression (Einzelepisode) tragen bei Männern und Frauen einzelner Altersgruppen zu einem erhöhten Suizidrisiko bei. Objectives and methods: Aim of the study was to identify and estimate psychiatric axis I disorders as risk factors for suicide in different age groups using a psychological autopsy study with case-control design. 163 suicides and 396 population-based control persons were assessed with a standardized semi-structured interview including SCID-I (for DSM-IV). Results: Logistic regression analyses revealed significantly elevated odds ratios for alcohol-related disorders in men aged 31 to 45, 46 to 60, and 61 to 75 years (OR = 9.0, OR = 7.5, and OR = 10.7, respectively) and for Major Depression, single episode, in men and women aged 61 to 75 years (OR = 42.7 and OR = 15.9). In males aged 31 to 45 years polysubstance-related disorders (OR = 9.5) and in females aged 61 to 75 years cognitive and mental disorders due to a general medical condition (OR = 12.2) were significantly and independently associated with suicide. Conclusions: Alcohol-related disorders and Major Depression differently contribute to male and female suicide risk in special age groups. These findings imply differentiated prevention strategies.