Suicide Behaviour and Physical Illness – a Screening Questionnaire for Risk Detection

250 cases of consecutive suicide attempters admitted into hospital in Madurai, India were studied. A diagnostic categorization of cases was done & a screening instrument was designed to detect suicide tendencies in those with physical illnesses. Subjects were categorized by psychiatric disorders, physical illness or psychosocial problems. People with physical illnesses comprised the largest proportion of suicide attempters indicating that suicide risk assessment of them is essential.