Stepping Back From Crisis Points

Abstract

Suicide is a global health concern, though little is known about the social practices that might support those who are contemplating suicide. Online forums provide a unique insight into the anonymous discussion of suicide, including sociocultural norms about suicide and the delicate management of online interaction. In this article, we examine the provision and acknowledgment of support in an online discussion forum about suicide, using discursive psychology to analyze the textual interaction. The analysis illustrates how forum threads function as case studies and enable members to gain support on numerous occasions. In this way, members can gain help at crisis points as and when these occur, while still maintaining authenticity as a valid forum member. The analysis also provides additional evidence for models of suicide which highlight the fluid nature of suicidality and contributes to the preventative work on suicide by demonstrating how support can be provided at crisis points.

Exploration of Benefits and Potential Harmful Effects of an Online Forum for Visitors to the Suicide Prevention Platform in The Netherlands

“…Benefits for suicidal individuals include the anonymous, easy accessible, and nonjudgmental environment (Robinson et al., 2015). Online forums may also offer valuable support by providing a place where suicidal individuals can talk about their suicidal feelings, share problems with similar others, and feel accepted and understood (Mok et al., 2015; Wiggins, McQuade, & Rasmussen, 2016).…”

Dying online: live broadcasts of Chinese emerging adult suicides and crisis response behaviors

“…Their suicidal communications, the cry of pain and for help [ 37 ], was often answered through the caring responses of some participants, even if they were not the intended message recipients. Similar to recent work [ 16 ], opportunities for providing social support and crisis intervention were identified.…”

“…, the degree of suicidal intent), is necessary to better understand the relevant internal factors of the blogcasters. Discourse analysis or psychological autopsies could provide further qualitative information on these incidents [ 16 , 61 – 63 ]. Online suicide incidents may also differ by online platforms, as the user environment will affect communications and other factors.…”

“…As for the connection between emerging adult suicide cases and social media development, some scholars have highlighted the potential negative impact upon people exposed to online information encouraging suicide [ 13 ]. Netizens may intentionally or otherwise increase suicidal feelings and behaviors in others, or alternatively, play a positive role by assisting people at risk for suicide through access to rescue or support [ 14 – 16 ]. Studies have suggested that social media-based suicidal communications can be an unorthodox way of help-seeking [ 11 ].…”

“…Evidence supporting those theories would be found by suicide broadcasters making communications identifying human needs or emotions in their suicidal behaviors. With the exception of Wiggins and colleagues’ [ 16 ] study, previous research mostly focused on suicidal motivations with less attention paid to online suicide processes and crisis responses.…”