OBJECTIVES: To analyze the aspects of suicide risks and their relation to patient safety attitudes among the nursing staff of a large public university hospital in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional and descriptive study with 226 nursing workers from a large public university hospital in Brazil. Socioprofessional information, health conditions, and family history related to suicide risk were collected through the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus and the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. A 95% CI was considered, and statistical tests such as the Student t test, χ 2 , analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression were used. RESULTS: Most of the safety attitudes were below the average score considered positive (mean Safety Attitudes Questionnaire value >
0.75), and 41 (18.1%) workers were considered to have any degree of suicide risk. Participants with parents or siblings who had attempted suicide were 3.44 times more likely to have moderate or high suicide risk. Negative safety attitudes were associated with health conditions and family history, considered suicide risk factors. Participants with moderate or high suicide risk were 2.83 times more likely to have worse patient safety attitudes concerning job satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals significant associations between patient safety attitudes and the mental health of nursing workers, expanding the view of worker health management actions and, consequently, patient safety culture.