RESUMO
Background: Globally, suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents. Suicide evolves from suicide ideation (SI) to planning of suicide and finally attempting suicide. Understanding the pattern of suicidal ideation is crucial for preventing suicidal acts. Objective: The objective of the study was to study the prevalence of SI and its pattern among college students of Gondia city in tribal region of central India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted after approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Respondents were students of colleges in Gondia city in tribal areas of Maharashtra. A total of 214 students responded. The questionnaire was developed by contextual modification of SI scale. All categorical variables were expressed in percentage with 95% confidence interval. Quantitative variables were expressed in mean and standard deviation. Results: The majority of participants were undergraduate with mean age of 18.6 (±2) years, female and Hindu. The prevalence of SI was ranging from 3.74% to 13.08%. “I feel life is not just worth living” was the most common thought reported. Among those who had SIs, 13 (46.43%) had SI at least once a year and 15 (53.57%) had expressed that they do not have control over their suicidal ideations. There were 5 (17.86%) out of the study participants having SI who have made attempt to suicide. None of the participants had approached for any professional help for SI. Conclusion: SI is significantly prevalent among college students. They have varied frequencies of thought with no control over them. Self-perceived depression being the most common cause of SI reported by participants.