Suicide literacy and suicide stigma among medical sciences students in Kermanshah, Iran: an analytical cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry. 2026 Jul 9. doi: 10.1186/s12888-026-08384-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Suicide represents a major global public health concern and is particularly relevant among university students in medical sciences majors. Suicide stigma may hinder help-seeking behaviors among individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, while insufficient suicide literacy may limit the early recognition of warning signs. This study aimed to examine the association between suicide literacy and suicide stigma among medical sciences students in Kermanshah, Iran.

METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran during the 2025-2026 academic year. Participants were recruited using proportional quota sampling across faculties followed by convenience sampling within each quota. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including demographic characteristics, the short form of the Literacy of Suicide Scale, and the Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form. Higher scores on the suicide literacy scale indicate greater knowledge, and higher scores on the suicide stigma scale indicate more stigmatizing attitudes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS: The mean suicide literacy score was 6.34 ± 2.56 (range 0-12), and the mean suicide stigma score was 43.44 ± 8.54. Suicide literacy was significantly and negatively correlated with suicide stigma (r = – 0.27, p < 0.001). Public health students had the highest suicide stigma scores, and pharmacy students had the lowest, with both groups differing significantly from students in other majors (p < 0.001). Additionally, students who were unemployed reported significantly higher suicide stigma scores compared to those who were employed (p = 0.03). In a multiple regression model controlling for covariates, higher suicide literacy predicted lower stigma (β = -0.23, p < 0.001). Academic major also remained significant: public health predicted higher stigma (β = 0.19, p < 0.001), and pharmacy predicted lower stigma (β = -0.17, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The mean suicide stigma and suicide literacy scores were both slightly above the scale midpoints. Higher suicide literacy was associated with lower suicide stigma. Importantly, this correlation remained significant after controlling for other variables. Overall, these findings suggest that educational strategies aimed at improving suicide literacy may contribute to reducing stigmatizing attitudes toward suicide among future healthcare professionals.

PMID:42426715 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-026-08384-4