An Australian study has revealed Indian youths were more likely to follow through on their suicidal thoughts than Australian or Italian youths.

The University of Queensland's Dr Erminia Colucci revealed on Tuesday that 700 students aged 18-24 in Italy, India and Australia were surveyed about their attitudes to youth suicide.

She said the results reveal differences and similarities across cultures about meanings and social representations of suicide.

"First, there were differences in prevalence, with more Italian and Australian youths indicating they think about suicide, compared to Indians," Colucci said.

"In contrast, Indians reported more suicide attempts, followed by Australians and then Italians."

She said for Indian youths, financial problems were among the most important reasons for attempting suicide.

Mental illness, depression or anxiety were more important for young Australians and loneliness or interpersonal problems were motivators for Italian youths.

"Australia generally sees suicide as a result of depression or some other mental health issues, but I don't believe that mental illness is all there is to it," Colucci said.

Colucci recently helped develop a set of suicide first-aid guidelines for community groups in Japan, India and the Philippines.