Attitudes Towards Suicide in Slovenia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background: Slovenia has been experiencing a very high suicide rate (30 per 10,000 inhabitants per year or higher) and there are no data on public attitudes towards suicide in Slovenia. Aims: To identify public attitudes towards suicide in order to expand the basis for prevention. Methods: A Suicide Attitudes Questionnaire (SUIATT) was sent to a representative sample of adult Slovenian citizens. Results: Some 5.2% of respondents had at least one previous suicidal attempt and 21.6% reported suicidal ideation (SI). More respondents with SI than respondents without SI reported: 1) the suicidal act as deliberated, 2) less importance attached to the mental illness in suicidal behaviour, 3) that a person has the right to commit suicide, and 4) the suicidal act as an act of cowardice. Conclusions: Results do not allow a general statement whether attitudes towards suicide are permissive or restrictive. However, in the subgroup of respondents with SI we found a tendency towards permissiveness regarding suicide.