Trauma Survivors Network - provided by ATS

Survive. Connect. Rebuild.

A Program of the ATS

Cultural and Personal Beliefs

Many people are scared or intimidated to seek help from others because of the social stigma attached to mental health, substance abuse disorders, and suicidal thoughts. Compounding this effect is the fact that many individuals do not have access to mental health treatment. Cultural and religious beliefs may be a risk factor for suicide—for instance, the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma. Local epidemics or trends of suicide may also be perceived as an acceptable form of death, therefore media attention to such trends must be handled with care.

Suicide Fact Sheet
Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/Suicide