Literacy and Stigma of Suicide among Undergraduate Students in Public Universities within the Western Province of Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Background: In Sri Lanka, university undergraduate students face significant mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Improving mental health understanding can mitigate stigma, yet research on suicide literacy and stigma remains limited.

Objectives: To investigate suicide literacy and stigma among undergraduates in public universities within the Western Province of Sri Lanka, examining their association and identifying socio-demographic influences

Methods: The study employed a descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design, collecting data from 389 participants aged 18 to 28 years across six public universities: University of Sri Jayewardenepura (31%), University of Kelaniya (19%), University of Colombo (11%), University of Moratuwa (13%), Open University of Sri Lanka (22%), and University of Visual and Performing Arts (3%). Data collection occurred between September and October 2023 using convenient sampling via Google Forms. The Literacy of Suicide Scale-Short Form (LOSS-SF) and the Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form (SOSS-SF) were utilized after validating them for the Sri Lankan context. SPSS version 26.0 was used for analysis, applying non-parametric tests due to non-normal data distributions.

Results: Results showed a moderate level of suicide literacy mean±SD (5.67±2.07) with gaps in knowledge about causes, signs, and risk factors. Stigma levels were low (2.53±0.67). Students showed higher approval for the isolation/depression subscale (3.48±0.85) and lower approval for the glorification/normalization subscale (2.17±0.17) of SOSS-SF. A significant weak negative correlation was observed between suicide literacy and stigma (p<0.01, r=-0.197). Health service related students had higher literacy (p<0.05) and lower stigma (p<0.05) compared to non-health service students. Exposure to suicide or attempts among friends and relatives exhibited reduced stigma (p<0.05) and higher approval of the glorification/normalization subscale (p<0.05).

Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for psycho-educational interventions to enhance suicide literacy and destigmatize suicide, particularly among non-health service sector students. Future initiatives should focus on helping individuals identify suicide risk factors and signs, and research employing larger sample sizes to facilitate comprehensive analysis.