An increased mortality rate due to suicides among miners of the Idrija Mercury Mine was observed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of long-term past occupational exposure to elemental mercury vapour (HgH) on the emotional states of ex-mercury miners. Mercury miners were intermittently exposed to HgH for 7-31 years. The miners mean exposure cycle urine mercury (U-Hg) level ranged from 20 to 120 mg/L. The results of the Emotional States Questionnaire (ESQ) showed that mercury miners tend to be more depressive, more rigid in expressing their emotions, and are likely to have a more negative self-concept than the controls. The results of the present study suggest that the interaction of long-term increased occupational exposure to Hg° and continuous moderate alcohol consumption could be associated with the increased risk of suicide among miners of the Idrija Mercury Mine.