Suicide is difficult to predict, has the potential for catastrophic outcome
, and is preventable. Although some persons admit freely to feelings of sad
ness and wishes for their lives to be over, others offer little, if any, ov
ert forecasting of impending self-harm. Many of these same people seek help
under other auspices. Approximately two thirds of those who commit suicide
had visited a physician during the preceding month. Recognizing the signs
and symptoms with which suicide-prone patients present to emergency departm
ents is central to preventing unnecessary death, injury, and disability cau
sed by failed attempts. The common presentations of patients at risk for su
icide and some of the psychiatric conditions that carry a risk for suicide
are reviewed.