Thank you Ben

Why didn't I tell my GP I was feeling suicidal? Because that was the previous evening and when I called him I didn't feel that way. Because there is nothing he could do (you'll have to believe me on this one - in the UK and certainly where I live, admitting to feeling suicidal doesn't get you a place in hospital - you only get that if you actually try to commit suicide, and if I tried I woud make very sure I succeeded). I didn't really get the chance to talk to my GP about it anyway; this was all on the phone.
Calling him back isn't an option - he won't be at work now until next Tuesday, which is when I am due to see him anyway (I believe). There is an out of hours service, but that would be a strange dr and there's no way I could talk to someone new about all this.

I like the idea of a scale and I will try that.

Thanks for responding.