[Stigma - risk factor and consequence of suicidal behavior : Implications for suicide prevention]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Mental illness, prior suicidal behavior, and suicide loss are significant risk factors for suicidality.
• Stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide creates burdens and may increase suicidality.
• Stigma's consequences, such as social isolation and hopelessness, are known suicidality predictors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing knowledge on the hypothesis that reducing stigmatization is a key component of suicide prevention.
• To explore the association between mental illness stigma and suicidality.
• To examine the potential influence of suicide stigma on suicidality.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies examining the relationship between stigma and suicidality.
• Analysis of the impact of stigma's consequences on suicide risk.
• Discussion of the potential role of anti-stigma interventions in suicide prevention.

Main Results:

• Numerous studies confirm a link between mental illness stigma and suicidality.
• Preliminary evidence suggests suicide stigma also influences suicidality.
• The effectiveness of anti-stigma interventions specifically for reducing suicidality remains untested.

Conclusions:

• Reducing stigma is a potentially vital strategy in suicide prevention efforts.
• Targeting stigma among the general public and healthcare professionals is important.
• Supporting individuals in managing stigmatization is a key intervention component.