The telephone and the internet have become popular sources of psychological help in various types of distress, including a suicide crisis. To gain more insight into the unique features of these media, we compared characteristics of calls to three technologically mediated sources of help that are part of the volunteer-based Israeli Association for Emotional First Aid (ERAN): Telephonic hotline (n = 4426), personal chat (n = 373) and an asynchronous online support group (n = 954). Threats of suicide were much more frequent among participants in the asynchronous support group than the telephone and personal chat. These findings encourage further research into suicide-related interpersonal exchanges in asynchronous online support groups.
In the last two decades, online support groups have become a valuable source of help for individuals in suicidal crisis. Their attractiveness is attributed to features that enhance help-seeking and self-disclosure such as availability, anonymity, and use of written communication. However, online support groups also suffer from limitations and potential risks as agents of suicide prevention. The Israeli Association for Emotional First Aid (ERAN) has developed a practical model that seeks to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of online suicide prevention. The model applies the Action Theory concepts whereby individuals shape their own environment. The present paper presents the model, which is based on an online support group combined with personal chat and a telephonic help line. The online support group is moderated by paraprofessionals who function as both process regulators and support providers. The principles and practice of the model are described, the theoretical rationale is presented, and directions for future research are suggested.
Trained volunteers constitute a valuable community source of suicide prevention. The implications of the findings regarding the provision of crisis intervention and suicide prevention via an online support groups are discussed.
The objective of this study was to reveal response strategies to suicidal messages and to examine the relationships between the messages and types of responses in an online support group moderated by volunteers within an interpersonal perspective of the Action Theory. This theory posits that individuals actively impact their social environment, which in turn shapes their development and mental health. In the study, 120 interactions were analyzed to identify characteristics of the message and strategies of response. The analysis yielded 8 strategies employed by the volunteers in response to the suicidal messages. Hypothesized relationships between those strategies and characteristics of suicidal messages were found. The results suggest that online support groups enable suicidal individuals to generate an environment that provides emotional support, and offer alternatives to the suicidal view.
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