title: An Analysis of Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Ideation Content on Tumblr.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social networking about depression can be indicative of self-reported depression and/or can normalize risk behaviors such as self-harm and suicidal ideation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To gain a better understanding of the depression, self-harm, and suicidal content that is being shared on Tumblr.
  
  
  METHODS
  From April 16 to May 10, 2014, 17 popular depression-related Tumblr accounts were monitored for new posts and engagement with other Tumblr users. A total of 3,360 posts were randomly selected from all historical posts from these accounts and coded based on themes ascertained by the research team.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 17 Tumblr accounts posted a median number of 185 posts (range = 0-2,954). Content was engaged with (i.e., re-blogged or liked) a median number of 1,677,362 times (range = 0-122,186,504). Of the 3,360 randomly selected posts, 2,739 (82%) were related to depression, suicide, or self-harm. Common themes were self-loathing (412, 15%), loneliness/feeling unloved (405, 15%), self-harm (407, 15%), and suicide (372, 14%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study takes an important first step at better understanding the displayed depression-related references on Tumblr. The findings signal a need for suicide prevention efforts to intervene on Tumblr and use this platform in a strategic way, given the depression and suicidal content that was readily observed on Tumblr.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cavazos-Rehg
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Krauss
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Shaina J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sowles
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosas
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Meghana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bharadwaj
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grucza
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Bierut
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D061108:Social Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescent; depression; self-injurious behavior; social media; suicidal ideation