Suicide Prevention Through Online Conversations

Eight Australians die every day by suicide and 4.1% of conversations with our team are with someone who is considered ‘at risk’. 75% of those who take their own lives are male and interestingly, 58% of our conversations with those who are at risk, are male.

According to Beyond Blue, it is the men in our lives that are known for bottling things up. We know this anecdotally around the barbeque when talking face to face. However, when given the opportunity to engage online, men are more likely to chat and open up.

From our experience 71% of the audience that we have engaged in online chat are males.

Suicide is largely preventable and online conversations are helpful in both early intervention and ongoing support. Simply being someone who can listen, stay with the person, and guide them to the right help can significantly reduce the risk of those people ending their lives

When we have provided the opportunity of a private chat and have responded to people’s questions or concerns with kindness and warmth, the safety of their known and familiar environment online can create a great space for people to be open and vulnerable quickly.