In a sample of the Finnish general population (n=4868), 2.4% of women and 2.3 % of men reported having thought about suicide during the preceding 12 months. The prevalence of parasuicide was correspondingly 0.9% in women and 1.1% in men, higher figures than have previously been found or estimated. Most suicidal individuals (85%) had contacted general practitioners or other primary care services during the previous 12 months, and a minority (20%) had made contact with psychiatric services. General practitioners and other primary care services are thus in a key position to identify suicidal behaviour in the Finnish general population.