Change in attitudes after a suicide prevention media campaign in the Mid-Norway region

Abstract

Abstract Background Suicide prevention media campaigns are one way of reaching people at increased suicide risk who would otherwise not seek help. This is the first study of a Norwegian campaign directed both at individuals at risk for suicide and at their social network. Methods We evaluated a media campaign consisting of outdoor posters, feature articles, film clips, and online banners in print, digital, and social media spread across the Mid-Norway region in late autumn 2022. This campaign material consisted of information about how to seek help for suicide thoughts and mental health problems and how to help a friend in similar situations. Before and after this campaign, 1149 adult individuals living in Mid-Norway participated in a survey on attitudes to suicide, mental ill health, and help-seeking. Results There were only marginal changes in attitudes and help-seeking literacy after the campaign. This result was sustained when controlling for age, sex, and campaign visibility. For males, there were a few changes in the negative direction, i.e. lack of willingness to seek help from family and friends, after the campaign. Conclusion We conclude that the campaign did not seem to have the desired effect and suggest ways of improving future regional Norwegian media campaigns.

Keywords

• Help-seeking
• Mental health stigma
• Public campaign
• Suicide
• Suicide prevention