Identification of suicide clues, depression signs, knowledge and attitude towards adolescent suicide prevention strategies among high school teachers

Abstract

Adolescent suicide is increasing in India. Identification of suicide clues, depression signs, knowledge and attitude towards adolescent suicide prevention strategies is important for the school teachers to take part in preventing adolescent suicide prevention. A survey was conducted among randomly selected 90 high school teachers in rural and urban areas of Mangalore district. Data show that the teachers knowledge on suicide prevention is moderate (mean% 48), attitude towards suicide prevention is favorable (65%) however their depression signs identification and suicide clue identification scores were low (mean 40, 41%). It was also found that teachers reported knowledge and attitude were influenced by their years of experience, hence these attributes may be reinforced by suicide prevention education.