When Knowledge Saves Lives: Tackling Suicide Stigma Through Education

“Only seven people out of nearly a thousand could answer most questions about suicide correctly.”

That’s one of the most striking findings from a 2025 study of everyday citizens in Iran. It’s not a typo—less than one percent had strong knowledge about suicide. And the less people knew, the more likely they were to believe dangerous myths, like “talking about suicide makes people more likely to do it.”

This isn’t just a problem overseas. Across the world, low suicide literacy—our ability to recognize warning signs, understand risk factors, and know how to help—fuels stigma, shame, and silence. And for kids struggling with depression or hopelessness, that silence can be deadly.

What the Research Found

The study, published in BMC Public Health (Jafari et al., 2025), surveyed 960 adults using validated scales that measure knowledge and stigma related to suicide. Here’s what they discovered:

• Poor understanding is widespread: More than half of participants answered fewer than half of the knowledge questions correctly.
• Stigma rises when literacy falls: People with less understanding about suicide were far more likely to see it as shameful or blameworthy.
• Demographics matter: Younger, more educated participants—especially women and university students—had higher suicide literacy and lower stigma. Older men, those with less education, or who were divorced showed more stigmatizing attitudes.
• Where people get information counts: Those who learned about mental health from healthcare professionals had the best knowledge and least stigma; those relying on TV or social media fared worse.

The key takeaway? Knowledge protects. People who better understood suicide’s causes and treatments were significantly less likely to stigmatize those struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Why This Matters for Kids and Schools

At first glance, this might feel far removed from the school setting. But here’s the link: stigma thrives in silence—and kids notice.

When adults, teachers, or peers repeat myths about suicide (“they just wanted attention,” “you shouldn’t talk about it”), it creates a culture where kids feel too ashamed to ask for help.

For students who are already struggling—whether from bullying, trauma, or family stress—this silence deepens their isolation. Research shows that when young people believe their peers or teachers would judge them for talking about mental health, they are less likely to seek help from school counselors or parents.

And this stigma doesn’t just stop with students. Teachers often fear saying the wrong thing. Parents worry they’ll “plant the idea” if they ask direct questions. But as decades of research confirm, talking about suicide doesn’t cause it—it prevents it.

Building “Suicide Literacy” in Schools and Homes

So what can we do? The same research highlights a roadmap for action—one rooted in education, empathy, and open conversation.

1. Start with the Facts

Schools can integrate brief lessons on mental health literacy, just as they do with physical health. Students should learn:

• Warning signs (e.g., withdrawal, talk of hopelessness, giving away belongings)
• How to ask direct questions and connect peers to trusted adults
• The truth: asking about suicide shows care, not danger

2. Train Adults, Not Just Kids

Teachers, school nurses, and counselors are often the first to notice changes in behavior. Yet many lack confidence in how to respond. Professional development that focuses on how to have these conversations—without fear or judgment—can make the difference between connection and crisis.

3. Leverage the Right Messengers

The study found that people who got mental health information from doctors or psychologists had better understanding than those who relied on TV or friends. For schools, that means:

• Partnering with local mental health organizations
• Inviting clinicians to speak during parent nights
• Providing families with vetted online resources instead of “Google it” searches

4. Normalize Help-Seeking

Schools can shift the culture by celebrating—not hiding—mental health support. Bulletin boards that highlight coping skills, assemblies that feature stories of recovery, and visible counselor offices send a powerful message: It’s okay to ask for help.

5. Address Cultural and Religious Barriers

The Iranian study found that suicide stigma was higher in deeply religious communities where suicide is seen as sinful. While context differs, the U.S. faces its own cultural taboos. Faith leaders, parent associations, and educators can work together to communicate that compassion and prevention align with every moral and ethical tradition.

Why Literacy Lowers Stigma

Think about how public understanding of depression has evolved. Twenty years ago, many dismissed it as a “weakness.” Now, thanks to awareness campaigns and school-based programs, most people recognize it as a treatable condition.

That same transformation can happen with suicide—if we treat it as a public learning issue, not a private shame. As knowledge spreads, fear gives way to empathy, and stigma loses its grip.

What Parents and Teachers Can Do Today

• Ask directly if a child or student seems withdrawn or hopeless.
  (“Have you been thinking about hurting yourself?” is okay to ask.)
• Share credible resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988 in the U.S.) or local mental health centers.
• Model openness: Talk about mental health the same way you’d talk about sleep, exercise, or nutrition.
• Challenge myths: If you hear someone say “they just wanted attention,” respond gently: “Actually, talking about suicide is a sign they want help.”

A Call to Action

The study’s authors concluded that improving suicide literacy—especially around causes, triggers, and treatments—can reduce stigma and save lives.

Schools can lead the way. By making mental health a normal topic of conversation, teachers and parents can create a culture where kids don’t have to hide their pain behind silence or shame.

Because when we replace fear with facts, and stigma with understanding, we don’t just prevent tragedy—we nurture hope.

Let’s Talk About It

• What’s the biggest mental health challenge you see in your school or community?
• How can schools better support students’ emotional well-being?
• What’s one thing you’ll do differently after reading this?

If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.