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Psychological interventions that are efficacious as treatments for depression could indirectly affect suicide-related outcomes. We examined suicidal thoughts and behaviours as eligibility criteria, outcomes, and adverse events across trials of psychotherapy for depression.

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Background:Persons bereaved by suicide are reluctant to ask for social support when they experience feelings of guilt and blame. A web-based peer forum may provide a safe and anonymous place for mutual support. Aims:This study examined the mental health changes of visitors of two online support forums for persons bereaved by suicide and their experiences with the forum over 1 year. Method:Visitors of two forums completed self-report measures at baseline and at 6 and 12 months' follow-up. Repeated measures analyses were used to study changes in well-being, depressive symptoms, and complicated grief. Additionally, participants were interviewed about their experiences with the forum. Results:The 270 participants were mostly female, low in well-being, with high levels of depressive symptoms and complicated grief. Suicidal risk was high for 5.9. At 12 months, there were small to medium-sized significant improvements in well-being and depressive symptoms (p< .001) and nearly as much for grief (p= .08). About two thirds reported benefit from visiting the forum. Because of the pre–post design we cannot determine whether a causal relationship exists between the form and changes in mental health. Conclusion:After 1 year some positive changes but a large group was still struggling with their mental health. Interviews indicate that the forum was valued for finding recognition.

Background:Every year, more than six million people lose a loved one through suicide. These bereaved by suicide are at relatively high risk for mental illnesses including suicide. The social stigma attached to suicide often makes it difficult to talk about grief. Participating in online forums may be beneficial for the bereaved by suicide, but it is unknown what they communicate in these forums. Aims:What do the bereaved by suicide communicate in online forums? We examined which self-help mechanisms, grief reactions, and experiences with health-care services they shared online. Method:We conducted a content analysis of 1,250 messages from 165 members of two Dutch language forums for the bereaved by suicide. Results:We found that sharing personal experiences featured most prominently in the messages, often with emotional expressions of grief. Other frequently used self-help mechanisms were expressions of support or empathy, providing advice, and universality (recognition), while experiences with health-care services featured only occasionally. Compared with previous studies about online forums for somatic illnesses, the bereaved by suicide communicated more personal experiences and engaged much less in chitchat. Conclusion:Online forums appear to have relevant additional value as a platform for talking about grief and finding support.

Background:Common mental disorders have been found to be related to suicidal ideation and behavior. Research in the field of web-based interventions for common mental disorders, however, usually excludes participants with a suicidal risk, although a large proportion of participants might suffer from suicidal ideation. Aims:To investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation in common mental disorders in an online sample. Method:In total, 502 participants completed nine web-based questionnaires on common mental disorders, of which 120 were also interviewed by telephone to obtain a diagnosis. Logistic regression analyses were applied to investigate associations between disorders and suicidal ideation. Results:Based on web-based self-report, 53% of participants had some form of suicidal ideation. Fewer participants reported suicidal ideation during the interview by telephone. Depression (multivariate odds ratio 7.1), generalized anxiety disorder (2.1), social phobia (2.1), and posttraumatic stress disorder (1.7) were significantly associated with suicidal ideation, while a higher number of comorbid common mental disorders increased the risk. Conclusion:Researchers and clinicians should be aware that one out of every two helpseekers on the internet with common mental disorders may have suicidal ideation. Comorbidity of two or more disorders greatly increase the risk of suicidal ideation.