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Examining Suicide-Risk Individuals Who Go Online for Suicide-Related Purposes

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 21:04 authored by Harris, KM, McLean, JP, Sheffield, J
The objective of this study was to better help those in suicidal crisis by examining the types of suicide-risk individuals who make use of the Internet in relation to their suicidal problems. An anonymous online survey examined suicide-risk individuals who went online for suicide-related purposes (n = 165) and a reference group of suicide-risk individuals with no such experience (n = 125). Suicide-risk individuals who went online for suicide-related purposes, compared with online users who did not, reported greater suicide-risk symptoms, were less likely to seek help, and perceived less social support. Online, many reported more support, felt less alienated, believed they reduced their suicidality, but also sought suicide methods and were likely to visit "pro suicide" sites. Implications include designing help sites that allow peer-to-peer communications and anonymous professional support.

History

Publication title

Archives of Suicide Research

Volume

13

Pagination

264-276

ISSN

1381-1118

Department/School

Tasmanian School of Medicine

Publisher

Kluwer Academic Publishers

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright International Academy for Suicide Research

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Mental health services