Prevalence of depression and past suicide attempt in adult outpatients in primary care

Highlights • Our study confirms the high prevalence of depression in primary care in India; the prevalence is particularly high in women and in governmental settings. • Our study also identifies a high prevalence of history of previous suicide attempt in patients in primary care even though the indication for consultation is non-psychiatric. • Most of the patients with a history of suicide attempt have a current diagnosis of depression, usually severe depression. • Our study provides an important perspective for the evaluation of patients in primary care and development of public health interventions targeting depression and suicide risk in primary care.