title: An interactive web-based method of outreach to college students at risk for suicide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  From 2002 to 2005, the authors tested an interactive, Web-based method to encourage college students at risk for suicide to seek treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors invited students at 2 universities to complete an online questionnaire that screened for depression and other suicide risk factors. Respondents received a personalized assessment and were able to communicate anonymously with a clinical counselor online. At-risk students were urged to attend in-person evaluation and treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,162 students (8% of those invited) completed the screening questionnaire; 981 (84.4%) were designated as at high or moderate risk. Among this group, 190 (19.4%) attended an in-person evaluation session with the counselor, and 132 (13.5%) entered treatment. Students who engaged in online dialogues with the counselor were 3 times more likely than were those who did not to come for evaluation and enter treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The method has considerable promise for encouraging previously untreated, at-risk college students to get help.
authors.affiliation: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), New York, NY 10005, USA. ahaas@afsp.org
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Bethany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koestner
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Garlow
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sedway
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hendin
authors.forename: J John
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Charles B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Nemeroff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities; D000092864:Suicide Prevention