Stigmatization and self-stigmatization by persons with mental disorders who committed suicidal attempts

A sampling of 1255 persons was examined by the method of anonymous questionnaire (65 psychiatrists, 402 nurses, 437 nursing assistants and 351 persons from general population) with the purpose of identification their attitude for the persons, who committed suicidal attempts. A sampling of 125 patients with mental disorders and suicidal behavior was examined by the clinic-psychopathological and psychometrical methods for finding out their stigmatization and self-stigmatization. It is found that stigma of suicide is manifested in all social spheres not only among general population but also among professional staff members of psychiatric clinics. Stigmatization is the lowest among psychiatrists and the most expressed among nursing assistants. Stigma of suicide is more important than stigma of mental illness for patients with non-psychotic mental disorders in family, interpersonal and employment spheres. In spite of guilt and shame because of suicidal attempt, stigma of mental illness is more important than stigma of suicide for patients with psychotic mental disorders.