Cultural norms and customs can influence suicide rates. Among the Yuit Eskimos of St. Lawrence, when someone requests suicide three times, relatives are supposed to help the person kill himself or herself (Leighton & Hughes, 1955). In contrast, among the Tiv of Nigeria, suicide reportedly never occurs (Evans & Farberow, 1988). Such cultural norms about suicide can affect a person’s beliefs and expectations about suicide.
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