Suicide-related internet use of mental health patients

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Suicide-related internet use of mental health patients who died by suicide: what do clinicians (not) know? A mixed methods study

• IRAS ID

  301049

• Contact name

  Isabelle Hunt

• Contact email

  isabelle.m.hunt@manchester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Manchester

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  NHS001865 ,

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 2 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Summary of Research

  Little is known about suicide-related internet use of mental health patients who have died by suicide. By utilising the unique database held by the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health, this study aims to describe the personal and clinical characteristics of patients who died by suicide and for whom there was evidence of suicide-related internet use and to compare them to other patients who died by suicide. Additionally, experiences, attitudes, and beliefs on enquiring about suicide-related internet use of their patients will be obtained from clinicians whose patients died by suicide. By learning about the characteristics of patients who died by suicide and how clinicians obtain information about suicide-related internet use and their experiences, attitudes, and beliefs regarding discussing internet use with their patients, recommendations for clinical practice could be made.

  Summary of Results

  Suicide-related internet use of mental health patients (University of Manchester)
  This study explored mental health clinicians’ experiences, beliefs and attitudes on suicide-related internet use (SRIU) disclosure and SRIU in general. This was done via online interviews. Interview questions were developed by the research team and reviewed by a consultant psychiatrist. 12 clinicians participated, half of them women, median age 36. Knowing about patient’s researching methods online was viewed as important due to the perception that it can signify increased risk as well as offer opportunity for prevention. They felt asking about SRIU to be useful as a mandatory question and age of both clinicians and patients was seen as a factor influencing inquiring on SRIU.

• REC name

  Wales REC 4

• REC reference

  21/WA/0212

• Date of REC Opinion

  22 Jul 2021

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion