Suicide Prevention Websites and their Impact on Users

Theoretical framework: Educative websites on suicide have been increasingly used in suicide prevention in the last few decades. However, there is a lack of research on how these websites should be designed in order to elicit preventive effects. As a result, it remains unclear whether websites for suicide prevention are actually helpful to suicidal individuals. Media effect studies have shown that portrayals of suicide in the media influence suicidal behavior, with stories emphasizing hope, healing, and recovery from a suicidal crisis having the potential to reduce suicide risk, also known as Papageno effect. Studies investigating whether suicide prevention websites focusing on stories of hope, healing, and recovery are effective are lacking. Objectives: The present project aims to explore the impact of different types of suicide prevention websites on users suicide risk and help-seeking behavior as well as their surfing and clicking behavior on the website in a natural setting. Methods: We will develop three types of suicide prevention websites. Based on the Papageno effect, website #1 will be a website focusing primarily on personal narratives about overcoming a suicidal crisis by individuals with personal experience of suicidal ideation. Website #2 will focus on general information on suicide prevention provided by suicide prevention experts. Website #3 will feature predominantly statistical facts on suicide. Furthermore, three different versions will be created for each type of website: a neutral, text- based website, one with positive and happy images, and one with dark and gloomy images (i.e., 3x3 websites). Based on evaluations by suicide prevention experts, media professionals, and individuals with lived experience of suicidal ideation in focus groups, one website version will be selected. Afterwards, a web link will be programmed to randomly forward users to one of the three websites. Data on usage behavior will be collected and analyzed for all three websites. Furthermore, the website will include a link to an online survey to assess participants suicide risk factors with questionnaires. Innovation: This will be the first study to develop and test the impact of different types of suicide prevention websites in a natural setting. Findings of the project will help to gain insights on not only how suicide prevention websites should be designed in order to elicit beneficial effects, but also how users access and navigate on suicide prevention websites. Primary researchers involved: The primary researchers involved in the project are Benedikt Till and Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, who are leaders in research on the Papageno effect and have a great deal of experience in researching suicide prevention services.