Objective: to determine the perception of the different social actors on suicidal behavior in the city of Valledupar (Cesar-Colombia). Method: it is addressed from a qualitative-exploratory perspective, with a hermeneutic approach, through the use of the focus groups technique. The participants were 55 youth and adults (28 women and 27 men), aged between 16 and 65, belonging to the community of Valledupar. The groups were formed by adolescents, parents, teachers and health professionals. The deductive categories that were used as a frame of reference departed from the proposals of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework for human development. Results: we found that participants perceive that mental and physical diseases are predisposing to contemplating suicide, since it is in a vulnerable state. In addition, they point out that the age, gender and the absence or presence of children are key factors when it comes to contemplating the idea of killing oneself. Likewise, it was found that aspects such as the social and economic situation of the country generates hopelessness about the future, especially in younger persons, which becomes a life stressor. Conclusion: suicide is an event caused by multiple variables of individual, social, family and cultural type. Finally, it is discussed how these variables should be included in the prevention and intervention plans of mental health policies.