Suicide Stigma in Jewish Communities in the United States

While extensive research exists on mental illness stigma, few studies focus on suicide stigma, and even fewer examine stigma in specific ethnic groups that have prohibitions on suicide. The purpose of this study was to examine Jewish individuals’ stigma beliefs about suicide. A convenience sample of 242 Jewish community members completed an experimental vignette survey describing a suicidal individual, manipulated on gender and age, followed by questions eliciting attitudes and suicide-related stigma. The study examined the relationship between the gender and age on suicide-related stigma and the influence of participant characteristics (demographics, religiosity, discrimination experiences, and attitudes toward mental health-seeking) on stigma. Findings of this study indicate that demographic characteristics of the vignette subject affected factors of suicide stigma, including perceived hygiene, relationship disruption, and anxiety. Research findings also indicate that a participant’s experiences of discrimination and their attitudes toward seeking professional mental health care had an impact on stigma levels.