Attitudes toward suicide among english-speaking urban canadians

Abstract

The study of suicide must take place within a specific cultural context. Despite Canada's high rate of suicide, compared to that of the United States, there has been little research on the topic, including attitudes toward suicide among Canadians. The purpose of this study is to examine attitudes toward suicide in a Canadian English-speaking urban sample. A sample of 196 Canadian adults residing in six major cities were administered the Suicide Opinion Questionaire. The results are discussed along 10 major dimensions: the stigma of suicide; normality; the right to die; acceptability; cry, for help; mental illness; religion; antecedents; impulsivity; and incidence. Although some modal responses were obtained, the variability expressed has a number of implications for understanding and responding to suicide in Canada.