Social & clinical risk factors for completed suicide occurring shortly after discharge from a psychiatric hospital were examined in this case-control study. 77 individuals who received “suicide” or “undetermined death” verdicts at inquest, & who had been previously discharged from psychiatric hospitals in Bradford, UK, were compared with a control group. A history of deliberate self-harm was significantly associated with early suicides compared with both late suicides & controls. A diagnosis of mood disorder, specifically depression, & longer case-notes were also significantly associated with early suicides compared to controls. This study has implications for risk management of recently discharged psychiatric patients. (24 refs.)