A semi-projective questionnaire (the Time Questionnaire) was developed & significantly differentiated clinical groups (in & outpatients) where suicidal intent was prominent from non-clinical groups based on the degree & detail of elaboration of future time perspective. The instrument also discriminated the more suicidal in-patient from the outpatient group. The instrument assessed suicidal tendencies independently from age, diagnosis, psychomotor retardation & intensity-depression. (RA)