Suicide Literacy and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Emergency Nurses

Background Suicide is a major public health concern, particularly among healthcare professionals, with nurses at increased risk due to occupational stress, long shifts, and close patient contact. Mental health literacy, including suicide literacy, plays a crucial role in recognizing risk factors, identifying warning signs, and encouraging timely help-seeking. Despite international evidence on the importance of suicide literacy and attitudes toward professional psychological support, limited research exists among emergency nurses, particularly in Iran. This study aimed to examine the association between suicide literacy and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in this high-risk group. Method A convenience sample of emergency nurses was recruited. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Short Literacy of Suicide Scale, and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help questionnaire. Statistical analyses included independent-samples t tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann–Whitney U tests, Pearson’s correlation, and multivariable linear regression to identify predictors of suicide literacy and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 19, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. Results A total of 280 nurses participated. The mean suicide literacy and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help were at a moderate level. The lowest awareness was observed in the domain of “causes and nature of suicide.” Age and clinical work experience were negatively associated with suicide literacy, whereas being female, higher education, and contractual or temporary employment were positively associated. Women and participants with higher income demonstrated more positive attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, while a family history of suicide was associated with lower attitudes. Suicide literacy, particularly the domains of “signs and symptoms” and “prevention and treatment strategies,” showed a significant positive correlation with attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. Conclusion This study highlights the significant role of suicide literacy in shaping emergency nurses’ attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. Nurses with greater knowledge of suicide warning signs and prevention strategies demonstrated more positive attitudes toward help-seeking. Enhancing suicide literacy through targeted education and ongoing psychological support can improve both nurses’ well-being and patient care. Incorporating suicide literacy into training programs and considering demographic factors such as age, gender, and work experience can further strengthen intervention effectiveness.