Suicide rates in the southern region of Portugal are more prevalent compared to other regions.

We will present the results of an on-going research, being carried out with the main purpose of analysing different risk factors associated to suicidal attempts and to establish a profile of the typical attempter.

We are studying a clinical sample of 60 adults, both males and females, recurring to emergency room in a general hospital after a suicidal attempt.

A multimodal assessment matrix is being used to evaluate depression, suicidal ideation and intention, and individual, social, and environmental factors commonly related to the onset of major depression, namely hopelessness and pessimism, cognitive processing, interpersonal relations, and life events.

We expect to obtain a clinical and socio demographic profile of suicidal attempters useful to the design and the implementation of primary and secondary prevention programs.