Background: Individuals hospitalized due to a suicidal crisis or a suicide attempt face an increased risk of suicide re-attempts and suicide following discharge. Outpatient treatment after discharge is an important suicide prevention measure. Nevertheless, there are often problems with access to outpatient care. The aim of this presentation is to discuss men and women’s use of outpatient mental health care (MHC) after discharge. Method: Study 1 examines data of 124 individuals (with lifetime suicide attempts (lifetime), 59.7 % female, 18-81 years) who had been admitted to a psychiatric ward due to a suicidal crisis/suicide attempt on the use of outpatient MHC in the 6 months after inpatient treatment. Study 2 included 165 psychiatric inpatients (54.8% female, 18-72 years) in treatment due to a suicide attempt/ severe suicidal crisis. Of those, n =128 filled out a survey asking about for MHC following discharge. Study 2 is still ongoing, and further data will be incorporated into the presentation, including information on MHC use. Results: Study 1: 37.9 % (n = 47) of the participants reported not having used any MHC in the first 6 months after discharge. Men were significantly less likely to make use of overall MHC (48% vs. 71.6%, p=.021) as well as of psychotherapy (16% vs. 31.1%, p=.035) and of psychiatric treatment (38% vs 58.1%, p=.028). Study 2: In 91.9% (n=114) of patients, further outpatient treatment was planned before discharge, and there were no gender differences (90.7% of men vs. 92.6% of women, p=.850). The types of planned treatment included further treatment by a medical doctor (28.1% of the patients), treatment in a psychiatric outpatient clinic (44.7%), treatment by a psychological psychotherapist (54.4%) and treatment in a counseling center (10.5%). The following reasons were given for a lack of planned post-discharge care: (1) at the patient's request, (2) there is no MHC provider close to home or (3) no appointment could be made. No gender differences were noted in these results. Conclusion: Almost all of the patients who had been admitted due to a suicidal crisis had a planned MH treatment after their discharge from a psychiatric ward, and there were no gender differences in this respect. However, men are less likely to actually make use outpatient MHC after discharge. These findings are consistent with other findings in the literature on lower utilization of MHC in suicidal crises and point to a major problem. Its causes and measures to address the problem will be discussed.