Teen Suicide and Stigmatization in Latin America

Alessandra Arana, Co-Founder

How is the stigma surrounding self-harm and suicide impacting prevention and treatment for teenagers?

Fun fact: Most youth suicides (below the age of 30) occur globally in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), often in relation to emotional reactions against traumatic events: socio-economic pressures, trauma, loss.

What is stigma?

Stigma is often defined as “the negative social attitude attached to a characteristic of an individual that may be regarded as a mental, physical, or social deficiency.” (American Psychological Association)

How does it relate to suicide and self-harm?

Society often normalizes instances of public stigma and self-stigma, contributing to people being less likely to seek help, worsening mental health outcomes, and increasing chances of suicide.
- Public stigma: the general population’s beliefs about self-harm and suicide.
- Self-stigma: negative beliefs that are internalized by people who have suicidal thoughts.

So, what’s the problem?

While high-income countries are able to implement strategies to prevent suicide and self-harm, these often don’t translate well into LMICs because of the lack of resources, health literacy, cultural stigmatization, and even legal frameworks.
- In some countries, laws that criminalize self-harm and suicide attempts also force people to hide their personal struggles.

Why this matters:

Stigma may impede people from recovering and healing from attempts and thoughts.
- Improper care from healthcare professionals may be inadequate; so it is important to seek the right support where they address both physical and emotional needs.
Suicidal individuals may be scared to seek help out of fear of being regarded as weak or a failure.

How to Help/Intervene:

If you believe someone may be suicidal, the best first step to take is to reach out. Whether it’s through a private conversation, a message, or simply sitting with them, you are already making a difference by showing that you’re there for them.
Listening without judgment to try to understand what that person is thinking or feeling can help them feel less alone and more supported.
Reduce all risks by removing lethal items like guns, medications, or sharp objects and limiting access to places that could potentially cause harm.
Help that person connect with suicidal lifelines or other community resources that can give them a safety net that can help them when they need it. Mental health professionals, a family member, a friend, or a spiritual advisor can also be helpful sources of support.

Sources:

American Association of Suicidology. (2023, January 19). Stigma and suicide. https://suicidology.org/stigma-and-suicide/

Aggarwal, S., Borschmann, R., & Patton, G. C. (2021). Tackling stigma in self-harm and suicide in the young. The Lancet. Public health, 6(1), e6–e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(20)30259-0

5 action steps to help someone having thoughts of suicide. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/5-action-steps-to-help-someone-having-thoughts-of-suicide

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