Suicide exposure, awareness and attitudes in college students

Abstract

Objective: To determine experiences about suicide and those affected by it and to determine students’ attitudes, perceptions, and behavioral intentions about suicide prevention resources. Participants: 117 students (62% female, 63% undergraduate). Methods: 1000 randomly-selected students were emailed a request to complete an online survey. Results: The experience of knowing someone who has attempted or died by suicide is common for college students — 65% reported they knew someone who attempted or died by suicide. About 21.5% endorsed being ‘suicide survivors,’ Personally affected’ by a suicide. Undergraduate students were more likely than graduate students to see suicide as preventable. Most respondents are aware people who are suicidal show warning signs. Conclusions: Students on a college campus are likely to be exposed to suicides and suicide attempts. Supports for people exposed to suicidal behavior, targeted messaging to specific groups of students and gatekeeper training with students overall is needed on campuses.

Keywords:

• suicide exposure
• college students
• student awareness
• student attitudes
• suicide survivors
• gatekeeper training
• targetted messages