Help-negation in suicidal youth living in Switzerland

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine whether help-negation (i.e. not accepting or accessing available helping resources) among suicidal youth could also be found in a Swiss sample. MethodsData from 7335 16–20-year olds, who participated in the 2002 Swiss Multicentre Adolescent Survey on Health, were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to predict if a person would generally talk with no one when having a mental health problem (e.g. feeling depressed or anxious). Not talking about such problems was interpreted as indicator for help-negation. The main predictor was suicide severity. Additionally, an indicator of depression and socio-demographic variables were included in the statistical models. ResultsPeople with higher levels of suicidality and depression were more likely to report that they would not talk about mental health problems. More non-Swiss (vs. Swiss) participants and apprentices (vs. students) reported high suicidality. Furthermore, these specific sub-groups seemed to be particularly likely to negate help. ConclusionHelp-negation can also be found in a Swiss sample of young people and seems to be particularly pronounced in some socio-demographic subgroups. By reducing this reluctance to seek help, premature death due to suicide might be reduced.