Summary Theprevalence and severity of suicidal ideationwas established in a patient sample seekingemergency treatment fornon-psychiatric reasons. Using a computerisedmentalhealth screeningpanel, datawere collected from waiting-roompatients duringrandomised

of suicidal ideationwas established in a patient sample seekingemergency treatment fornon-psychiatric reasons. Using a computerisedmentalhealth screeningpanel, datawere collected from waiting-roompatients duringrandomised shifts over a 45-dayperiod. Of1590 screenedpatients,185 (11.6%) acknowledged suicidal ideation and 31 (2%) reportedplanning tokill themselves. Almost all of thosewith suicidal ideation (97%) acknowledged symptoms consistentwithmood, anxiety and/or substance-related disorders.Structured medicalrecordreviewrevealed that 25 of the 31patients planning suicidewere undetected during their index visit, and that 4 attempted suicidewithin 45 days of the visit. All survived.