The Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation in the General Population: Results From the Outcome of Depression International Network (ODIN) Study

A 2-stage screening approach of over 12,000 adults from the general population were evaluated by face-to-face interview to identify those meeting ICD-10 criteria for depressive disorders at 8 sites in 5 European countries. A cross-sectional analysis of Item 9 (suicide ideation) of the Beck Depression Inventory was done. The standardised period prevalence for all suicide ideation varied from 1.1-19.8%, while for serious ideation there was much less variation. Examining the interrelationships between all suicide ideation, serious suicide ideation, depressive disorders, & suicide failed to support a seamless transition from ideation through depression & serious ideation to suicide. (16 refs.) JA