The use of general scales such as the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS) and the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) are widespread. Both scales contain non-validated items on suicidality. This study aimed to establish whether an association between these suicidality items and the validated scale, InterSePT exists. Forty patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder were assessed using the three scales. A highly significant association between the two items and the validated scale was found. The suicidality items from HoNOS and CPRS appear to be strong indicators of suicidality in this patient population. The findings allow for use of the suicidality items in clinical assessments and re-investigation of suicidality of other studies where these general rating scales have been used.