Association between perceived public stigma and suicidal behaviors among college students of color in the US

Background: Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among college students and 10 to 34-year-olds in the U.S. While rates of suicide among young people of color have increased, less is known about factors that contribute to suicidally among racial minority students who are sorely underrepresented within existing research. Thus, we sought to explore the association between perceived public stigma of receiving mental health treatment and suicidally among Black, Asian Domestic, Asian International, Latinx, Multiracial, Arab/Arab American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and White college students. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional survey responses from racially diverse sample of 153, 635 college students who participated in the Healthy Minds Study from years 2007-2018. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations between perceived public stigma and suicide ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempt. Results: Perceived public stigma was significantly associated with greater odds of suicide ideation, planning, and attempt. Odds of having attempted suicide within the past year were significantly greater among Asian International and Black college students. Sexual minority students broadly, and bisexual students specifically, were also at elevated risk for suicidal behavior. Limitations: Cross-sectional survey responses were assessed and causally cannot be determined. Conclusions: Students who endorsed more perceived public stigma also reported significantly greater odds of having experienced suicide ideation, planning, and attempt within the past 12 months. Subsequent interventions should account for concerns surrounding public perceptions of stigma when working to prevent suicide among students of color.