Quality over quantity? The role of social contact frequency and closeness in suicidal ideation and attempt

•Social support is a protective factor against suicidality, but which component is more important?•Lack of Social Contact Closeness best predicted ideation and attempt in both general and lifetime Social Anxiety Disorder samples, as examined in two National Databases.•Social Contact Closeness, not Frequency, may be more important in social support as a protective factor.