10 suicidal & 30 normal 14-18 yr olds were administered Tzuriel’s Adolescent Ego Identity Scale (AEIS) & the Israeli Index of Potential Suicide (IIPS) based on Zung’s scale. Normal Ss scored significantly higher than suicidal Ss on all but 1 of the AEIS factors & lower on the IIPS. Negative correlations between AEIS & IIPS were found in both groups, especially between total AEIS & IIPS in the normative group. Ego identity formation at adolescence may serve as a buffer against suicide attempts.