Introduction: Suicide prevention is a global public health target. Primary care presents an excellent opportunity for early identification and assessment of suicide risk as general practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact for people in distress. 
Aims: To study the GPs’ knowledge, attitudes and practice towards suicidal patients in general practitioners working in the region of Sfax.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of GPs population in the region of Sfax. We submitted a self-administered questionnaire to GPs in their workplaces exploring their knowledge, attitudes and practice towards suicidal patients.
Results: 126 GPs were contacted, 81.74% responded to the questionnaire. The average age was 49.65 ± 8.18 years. The sex-ratio (M/F) was 1,34. Overall, the proportion of correct answers about knowledge was 75.5%. GPs who participated in contained medical training sessions and GPs who attended a psychiatric interview with a suicidal person had significantly higher mean score of correct answers about knowledge than those who didn’t (respectively 12,64 ± 2,05 VS 11,73 ± 1,78 ; p=0,022 and 12,95 ± 1,98 VS 11,50 ± 1,92 ; p= 0,012). The most reported emotions of GPs in front of a suicidal or suicidal patient were sadness, pity and fear. 97 GPs have already been in contact with a suicidal patient, 40,2%  of them redirected him to his treating psychiatrist.
Conclusion: GPs occupy an important place in the management of suicidal patients. Training programs on the management of suicidal people should be included in their training career.

GENERAL PRACTITIONERS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICE TOWARDS SUICIDAL PATIENTS