Experiences of adults who survived suicide attempts in rural Uganda: Stigma, support systems and reintegration.

Suicide disproportionately burdens low- and middle-income countries. In Uganda, attempt survivors encounter intense stigma, minimal mental-health services and social exclusion, elevating their risk of future attempts. Rural African data on post-attempt experiences are scarce. From June to August 2023, we conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews in Buyende District with 18 attempt survivors, 17 relatives, 10 healthcare workers and 9 community health workers. Transcripts were translated into English and thematically analyzed using the framework method within a phenomenologically informed qualitative design. Three interlinked themes emerged. (1) Stigma-shaped immediate responses: cultural, religious and legal norms fostered moral judgment, social distancing, bureaucratic delays and occasionally police involvement. (2) Informal, uneven support: survivors relied on family aid, religious counseling and ad-hoc community advocacy; effectiveness varied widely. (3) Conditional reintegration: sustained practical help, employment and communal acceptance promoted recovery, whereas their absence perpetuated economic hardship and marginalization. Post-attempt trajectories in rural Uganda are governed by multilevel stigma and fragile support systems. Priority actions include provider training, family-community psychoeducation, stigma-reduction initiatives, structured follow-up care and decriminalization of suicide to foster compassionate responses and reduce repeat attempts.
Mental Health
Advocacy

Authors

Lee Lee, Asasira Asasira, Chang Chang, Scott Scott, Krause Krause, Nakamanya Nakamanya, Chung Chung, Kazungu Kazungu, Ssekalo Ssekalo, Rosenheck Rosenheck, Raue Raue, Fortney Fortney, Unützer Unützer, Tsai Tsai
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