In a sample of the Finnish general population (n=4868), 2.4% of women
and 2.3% of men reported having thought about suicide during the prece
ding 12 months. The prevalence of parasuicide was correspondingly 0.9%
in women and 1.1% in men, higher figures than have previously been fo
und or estimated. Most suicidal individuals (85%) had contacted genera
l practitioners or other primary care services during the previous 12
months, and a minority (20%) had made contact with psychiatric service
s. General practitioners and other primary care services are thus in a
key position to identify suicidal behaviour in the Finnish general po
pulation.