title: Social media and suicide: a public health perspective.
abstract: There is increasing evidence that the Internet and social media can influence suicide-related behavior. Important questions are whether this influence poses a significant risk to the public and how public health approaches might be used to address the issue. To address these questions, we provide an overview of ways that social media can influence suicidal behavior, both negatively and positively, and we evaluate the evidence of the risk. We also discuss the legal complexities of this important topic and propose future directions for research and prevention programs based on a public health perspective.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Telehealth and Technology, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98431, USA. david.luxton@us.army.mil
authors.forename: David D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Luxton
authors.forename: Jennifer D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: June
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fairall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008402:Mass Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010379:Peer Group; D011340:Problem Solving; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology