In this brief letter to the editor, the authors report that of 50 mentally ill inpatients treated with fluoxetine, no patient experienced the onset of suicidal thoughts or behaviour following fluoxetine treatment. 14 subjects had had documented suicidal thoughts/behaviour prior to treatment, but in no case were these symptoms worsened by treatment with fluoxetine. 37 subjects improved with treatment. It is concluded that fluoxetine is safe & effective. (1 ref.)