Caring for the Carers: Suicide Literacy and Stigma among Medical Students in Vietnam

Introduction: Suicide is a major global public health concern. Medical students are a high-risk yet under-studied population. This study assessed suicide literacy and stigma among medical students and examined associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 648 medical students from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. Suicide literacy and stigma were measured using the Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS) and the Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS), respectively. Results: Lifetime suicidal ideation was reported by 212 (32.7%) students, with 36.3% of these experienced in the past 12 months. Suicide plans and attempts were reported by 6.8% and 2.9%, respectively. The mean suicide literacy score was 6.0 (SD = 2.2) out of 12. The mean score of suicide stigma was 19.5. Senior students (years 5–6) had higher suicide literacy (LOSS score: β = 1.3, p<0.001) and lower stigma (SOSS-Stigma: β = -4.0, p<0.001). Male students had higher suicide stigma (β = 2.1, p<0.001). Participation in extracurricular activities was associated with higher literacy scores (β = 0.4, p=0.036) and lower stigma scores (β = -1.0, p=0.034). Students with a history of suicidal ideation had higher suicide literacy (β = 0.7, p=<0.001) but were also more likely to glorify or normalize suicide (β = 0.8, p=0.003). Conclusions: The study identifies notable gaps in suicide literacy and prominent levels of stigma among medical students in this study relative to previous international findings. While the findings may not be generalizable to all medical students in Vietnam, they suggest that integrating culturally appropriate, evidence-based suicide education into medical training is necessary.