Depressed & suicidal patients are common emergency room patrons. If depression is suspected or if the patient presents after a suicide attempt, a thorough evaluation of suicide potential is mandatory. The SAD PERSONS scale is useful for emergency clinicians in these cases & it can also be used to identify other risk factors such as mood disorders, substance abuse, etc. High risk individuals must be admitted to the hospital; if in doubt, the emergency physician should admit the patient. (48 refs)