Everyone log in and fill out this survey. It's quite detailed.
It does ask if you are in the UK but I tested and there is no check which is a bit dishonest but I feel if we can get thousands of people to complete this detailed survey about why they are online discussing suicide then we will have a great deal more understanding of the difficult feelings, emotions, and lack of understanding there is for people who feel so alone with this affliction.
Please log in and input honest data about how you look up information and interact with others online regarding suicide. It is completely anonymous and the two doctors putting it together have many publications regarding public health and mental health.
What is the purpose of the study?
The aim of this study is to explore the nature of self-harm and suicide content online, and to help us understand how, why and when this is experienced as helpful, validating or potentially upsetting by different users. This knowledge will inform discussions and policy decisions on how to make the Internet a safer and more inclusive place.
As part of the research we would like to hear the stories and experiences of a range of people living in the UK, including those who have experienced self-harm or suicidal feelings; those who have supported someone who was feeling suicidal; and those who have no personal experience of suicide or self-harm but have nonetheless seen, posted or engaged with self-harm or suicide related content online at some point (e.g. by stumbling across, viewing or sharing online news about suicide or self-harm, lived experience accounts of self-harm, suicide or suicide bereavement, or stories of hope and recovery).
What will happen if I take part?
This study is being conducted online, anonymously. If you do decide to take part, you will be asked some questions about your socio-demographic background and general health, your experiences (if any) of self-harm and suicidal behaviour, as well as your views and experiences of online suicide and self-harm content, including what you would like to see more and less of online. Completing the questionnaire should take around 10-20 minutes, depending on the experiences you might be sharing, and you could skip any questions that you would prefer not to answer.
Previous research suggests that most people have no difficulty answering these types of questions, and are often pleased to be able to share their experiences. However, it is possible that some questions could be difficult or potentially distressing for you, in which case we would not want you to answer them. Before deciding to take part in this study, please consider carefully if you might find it distressing to reflect on your experiences and the content that you have seen, posted or engaged with online. Given the sensitive nature of the study, we are only inviting people over the age of 16 years to participate, and would advise against taking part in the research if you are currently struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or have recently attempted suicide (for example in the past month).
