Citation

Oexle N, Herrmann K, Staiger T, Sheehan L, Rüsch N, Krumm S. Death Stud. 2019; 43(6): 381-388.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry II , University of Ulm and BKH Günzburg , Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481187.2018.1474286

PMID

29757097

Abstract

Among people with mental illness, stigma experiences can increase suicidality, and suicidality itself is associated with negative stereotypes. Suicide attempt survivors experience both mental illness stigma and suicide stigma, which could contribute to their increased risk for completed suicide. We interviewed 13 suicide attempt survivors regarding experiences and consequences of stigma and identified five stigma-related themes. Stigma led to substantial emotional strain, including loneliness and hopelessness, which are important precursors of suicidality. Our findings suggest that both mental illness stigma and suicide stigma can contribute to suicidality among people with mental illness in general, and in suicide attempt survivors specifically.

Language: en

Keywords

mental illness; stigma; suicide attempt survivors; suicide prevention