Attitude and help-seeking behavior towards suicide among medical students in Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

The ongoing training process and medical curriculum of the medical profession are crucial for equipping them with necessary knowledge and skills, but it can also be challenging to balance the demands of a busy learning schedule, making this period stressful. This study has been aimed to determining the attitude towards suicide and their help-seeking behavior among medical undergraduates in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Across medical colleges of the J&K region, an online survey was conducted among 275 medical undergraduates using Attitude Towards Suicide Scale-20 and General Help-Seeking Behavior Questionnaire. An independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were carried out for statistical analysis in SPSS 25.0. The mean age of the participants was 22.05 years, including 116 male and 159 female students. Psychiatry posting was attended by 31.3% (N = 86) students. Students showed greater acceptability over suicide is preventable, and it is a cry for help. For personal and emotional problems, subjects preferred seeking help from informal sources, while for suicidal ideations, they exhibited inclination towards formal sources. Findings of the result should be utilized in preventing negative mental health consequences and in planning assistance to them. Medical students within the institution should receive counselling services from the psychiatry department in a non-stigmatizing manner.