Perception of suicidal attempts among college students in Malaysia

Abstract

Teenage suicide has become a very serious problem and has been labeled as a growing epidemic by many health professionals worldwide. Through a questionnaire survey, the study aims to examine gender difference in public perceptions on various reasons for and methods used in suicidal attempts among teenagers. 90 college students participated in this study. The results showed a significant difference among males and females for the reasons why teenagers attempt suicide. The reasons were secularism, poor parent-child relationship and atheism. For the methods of suicidal attempts, a significant gender difference was also obtained for the slit wrist method.