It is sometimes assumed that all antidepressants have a beneficial effect in reducing suicidal ideation or tendencies but there is evidence to suggest a better effect with some while others may provoke suicide attempts. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been rather consistently reported to have an advantage in reducing suicidal ideation & have been shown to have a protective effect against the emergence of suicidal thoughts. In a direct test of the effect of these drugs on suicidal behaviour, there was no provocation of suicide attemtps. (18 refs.)