Suicidality, Mental Health Stigma, and Online Support Systems

• In Event: 3129 - Section on Medical Sociology Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 11. Mental Health Stigma

Abstract

The stigma related to suicide can often lead to individuals avoiding formal or professional mental health services and in-person support systems, for fear of discrimination and prejudice in treatment and their daily life, often resulting in worse overall health. The availability of online communities of individuals sharing similar experiences can provide a “safe haven,” offering a non-judgmental space, anonymity, and low risk of stigma to an individual’s “real life” identity.
Objectives: We examine whether the association between mental health care stigma (MHCS) and self-rated health (SRH) is greater for those who have experienced suicidality. Additionally, among those experiencing suicidality, we examine whether online support groups account for the relationship between MHCS and SRH.
Methods: Using data from the 2014 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), we use variables that account for suicidality, perceived mental health care stigma, and use of online support systems (n=41,179). All OLS regression models control for age, race/ethnicity, gender, education, and income.
Findings: Suicidality is associated with worse self-rated health after controls, while online help is associated with worse SRH after controls. Some evidence suggests that among those who are suicidal, online help results in better self-rated health, however, interaction failed to reach significance in current models. Results also suggest that gender is also a factor worth exploring in future models.

Authors

• Mercedes A Tarasovich, University of Alabama at Birmingham

• Elizabeth Helene Baker, University of Alabama at Birmingham