Suicidal Ideation and Parasuicide in the Finnish General Population

In a sample of the Finnish general population, 2.4% of women & 2.3% of men reported having suicidal thoughts in the prior year. The prevalance of parasuicide was 0.9% in women & 1.1% in men, higher than previously found or estimated. Most people had contacted general practitioners or other primary care services in the previous year. A minority had made contact with psychiatric services. Health care professionals are in a key position to identify suicidal behaviour in the general population.