The present study examined patterns of suicide ideation among 182 Canadian and 220 Japanese college students. Participants completed a survey assessing suicide ideation, help-seeking behaviour, and related variables. Results demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of suicide ideation among Japanese students as compared to their Canadian counterparts. Japanese students were also significantly more likely to have previously attempted suicide and to have formulated a suicide plan, and were far less likely to have sought assistance from mental health care practitioners. The results indicated that suicide ideation was more strongly associated with psychological variables among Canadian than among Japanese participants, supporting cross-cultural research on depression. Finally, the results manifested the need for better differentiation of important predictors of suicide ideation cross-culturally, and for the development of both mental health education programs and outreach programs designed to help distressed individuals who are reluctant to seek help.

Key wards: suicide, ideation, depression, hopelessness, help-seeking