Examining suicide-risk individuals who go online for suicide-related purposes.
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.
Harris
Keith M
KM
School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia. keith.haris@uqconnect.edu.au
McLean
John P
JP
Sheffield
Jeanie
J
D000293:Adolescent; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010379:Peer Group; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention