Abstract
Every day, the emergency departments in our country receive a large number of patients that have thought about or attempted suicide. Unfortunately, these patients are very often reluctant to maintain a regular follow-up in mental health services. In this study we describe an original program to encourage assessment and treatment of suicidal patients, particularly when they receive medical treatment in public places. We summarize the application of the program and compare the results of a specific follow-up between two groups of patients: suicidal patients assessed by emergency services in public places and all other suicidal patients assessed in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital.