Suicide and substance abuse among student teachers

This study explored whether student teachers who report suicide ideation and suicide attempts also report higher levels of substance use, as compared to those student teachers who do not report suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Three hundred and sixty-nine student teachers completed the Student Teacher Drug Use Survey (STDUS), which assesses knowledge, attitudes, and personal drug use within the last month (ShortBeh) and over the last year (LongBeh). STDUS also presented five items that assessed knowledge of suicide warning signs, their own suicidal ideation, and whether they had ever attempted suicide. Results from the Hotelling-Lawley Trace test (MANOVA) of short-term drug use revealed statistical differences between student teachers who had attempted suicide and those who had not. Follow-up ANOVAS revealed that suicide attempters used significantly more marijuana in the last month. Implications for teacher education are discussed.