TY - JOUR PY - 2005// TI - Occult suicidality in an emergency department population JO - British journal of psychiatry A1 - Claassen, Cynthia A. A1 - Larkin, Gregory Luke SP - 352 EP - 353 VL - 186 IS - N2 - The prevalence and severity of suicidal ideation was established in a patient sample seeking emergency treatment for non-psychiatric reasons. Using a computerised mental health screening panel, data were collected from waiting-room patients during randomised shifts over a 45-day period. Of 1590 screened patients, 185 (11.6%) acknowledged suicidal ideation and 31 (2%) reported planning to kill themselves. Almost all of those with suicidal ideation (97%) acknowledged symptoms consistent with mood, anxiety and/or substance-related disorders. Structured medical record review revealed that 25 of the 31 patients planning suicide were undetected during their index visit, and that 4 attempted suicide within 45 days of the visit. All survived. LA - SN - 0007-1250 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.186.4.352 ID - ref1 ER -