Characteristics of suicidal adolescents and young adults presenting to primary care with non-suicidal (indeed non-psychological) complaints.
BACKGROUND
Some young people presenting to primary care experience suicidal symptoms that they do not report.


METHODS
We conducted a survey of suicidal ideation among 15-24-year-old patients presenting to Australian general practitioners.


RESULTS
Patients who experienced substantial, but unstated, suicidal symptoms tended to be female and somewhat younger; their depression and distress levels, while not as high as suicidal patients with psychological complaints, were nonetheless elevated.


CONCLUSIONS
Young patients who evince any signs of depression or distress, particularly but not only young females, should be evaluated regarding psychological symptoms, including suicidal ideation.
Joiner
Thomas E
TE
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-1270, USA. joiner@psy.fsu.edu
Pfaff
Jon J
JJ
Acres
John G
JG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent / Q000145:classification; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires