title: Correlates of suicide stigma and suicide literacy in the community.
abstract: Public knowledge and attitudes toward suicide may influence help-seeking for suicidality. This study aimed to identify correlates of suicide attitudes and knowledge. Australian adults were invited to complete an online survey, with 1,286 responders. Less exposure to suicide, older age, male gender, less education, and culturally diverse backgrounds were associated with poorer knowledge; while younger age, male gender, and culturally diverse backgrounds were associated with more stigmatizing attitudes toward people who die by suicide. The results suggest suicide literacy and stigma reduction programs would benefit community members, particularly males and individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. philip.batterham@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Batterham
authors.forename: Alison L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Calear
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D057545:Social Stigma; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires