Recent Suicidal Ideation Among Patients in an Inner City Emergency Department

The rates & associated features of suicide ideation among 5,641 patients seeking routine, nonsuicide-related care in a Flint, Michigan emergency department were examined. Approximately 8% of patients seeking routine care in the emergency department reported some form of suicide ideation within the past 2 weeks. Suicide ideation was common in individuals who were single with poorer mental health, had higher depression, & received some drug or alcohol treatment in the past 3 months or had used cocaine or marijuana in the past 30 days. Improved screening procedures could help identify routine care patients who are at risk for suicide. (31 refs.)