RESUMO
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between hope, depression and suicidal ideation in patient with chronic mental illness patients. METHODS: The subjects were 188 patient with chronic mental illness in a Community Mental Health Center. The data were collected from July 27 2009 to August 21, 2009. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: There was found significant and negative correlation among hope and suicidal ideation; significant and positive correlation was found between depression and suicidal ideation; a significant and negative correlation among hope, depression and suicidal ideation. Depression was a significant predictor of suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: Hope, depression and suicidal ideation in chronic mental illness patients, and significant correlations between their relationships. Based on the outcomes of this study, it is necessary to design an intervention program that emphasizes increasing the hope and decreasing depress in order to decrease suicidal ideation.