The general public's views on suicide and suicide prevention, and their perception of participating in a study on attitudes towards suicide

Abstract

The aim of the presented study was to investigate whether common myths about suicide still prevail, what people in general think are the most common causes for suicide, whether suicide can be prevented, and if so, how. How subjects perceived their participation in a study on attitudes towards suicidal behavior, was also investigated. The Attitudes Towards Suicide questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 1,000 Norwegians. The data were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The results showed that the common myths still prevail, that people in general mainly assign intrapersonal causes to suicide, with the belief that suicide can be prevented, and that they perceived their participation in the study positively. The value of the general public in suicide prevention and the need for increased openness and competence building were emphasized.