Suicide literacy and suicide stigma – results of a population survey from Germany

Abstract

Background

While a growing number of studies analyze the magnitude and predictors of mental health literacy, little is known about suicide-specific knowledge and beliefs (“suicide literacy”).

Aims

To examine suicide literacy among the German population and to investigate associations between suicide literacy and suicide stigma.

Methods

Telephone interviews were conducted in Germany (N = 2002, response rate: 47.3%). The literacy of suicide scale (LOSS-SF) was used covering the knowledge domains “signs,” “risk factors,” “causes/nature” and “treatment/prevention.” In multiple regression analyses, associations between the LOSS-SF and the three dimensions “stigma,” “normalization/glorification,” and “depression/isolation” of the stigma of suicide scale (SOSS-SF) were examined controlling for several covariates.

Results

Respondents showed most knowledge concerning “treatment and prevention” (>80% correct answers). Lower suicide literacy was found in the domains “risk factors” (33–60% correct answers) and “signs for suicidal ideation” (45–53%). Suicide literacy was negatively associated with age, while it was positively associated with education, own affliction, and personal contact. Moreover, suicide literacy showed negative associations with all three dimensions of the SOSS-SF.

Conclusions

There are deficits in suicide literacy in the German public that may increase suicide stigma. Addressing those deficits in information-campaigns and encouraging personal contact could help decrease suicide stigma.

Keywords:

• Suicide literacy
• suicide stigma
• population survey
• Germany

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The Federal Ministry of Health [Grant Number: ZMVI1-2517FSB117, funding period: 10/2017 to 12/2020] funded this study within the framework of the project “Development and evaluation of e-mental health interventions to reduce stigmatization of suicidality.” The project is carried out at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf by the Department of Medical Psychology, the Institute of Medical Sociology, and the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. We would like to thank all respondents for taking part in the study and USUMA for conducting the telephone survey.