As in most Western countries, suicide and suicide attempts are major public health problems in the Netherlands [
1]. Suicide is the 14
th leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of years of potential life lost [[
2], Statistics Netherlands]. Attempted suicide, being an important risk factor for suicide, is estimated to be as high as 130/100,000 which represents a significant burden to the individuals affected, their families and the health services [
3]. Many of these patients consult their general practitioner (GP) in the period preceding their suicide or suicide attempt, indicating that GPs might play an important role in prevention [
4]. However, knowing that a Dutch GP may lose a patient to suicide only once every 4–5 years, it is clear that early recognition of suicidal patients is difficult [
5]. Still, GPs may have ways to prevent suicide and suicide attempts: 1) by addressing patients' emotional problems, 2) screening for depression, 3) probing for suicide ideation and 4) making proper referrals to mental health professionals [
6,
7]. Our question was: to what extent do Dutch GPs fulfil these requirements? Ever since 1979, suicide and suicide attempts occurring in Dutch general practice are registered by GPs participating in the Dutch Sentinel Network [
5]. In order to find clues for early recognition of suicide-endangered patients we analysed relevant data from the Network over the period 1983–2003.