Suicide awareness programs in the schools: effects of gender and personal experience

The present study evaluated the effects of gender and personal experience with suicide on the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of 471 high school students. Also, a suicide awareness curriculum was provided to 215 students and its impact was assessed. Results showed that having personal experience with a peer who had attempted suicide served to sensitize the student to the issues discussed in the curriculum, making it more likely that their knowledge regarding suicide would improve. However, this effect was overshadowed by the strong sex differences that emerged. Males were more likely than females to report maladaptive attitudes toward suicidal tendencies in their peers, display less adaptive coping styles, and exhibit less knowledge of suicidal behaviors. The role of sex differences in suicide prevention is discussed.