The use of the Internet for counseling the suicidal individual: possibilities and drawbacks

David Lester

doi:10.2190/om.58.3.e

The use of the Internet for counseling the suicidal individual: possibilities and drawbacks

Omega (Westport). 2008;58(3):233-50. doi: 10.2190/om.58.3.e.

Author

David Lester¹

Affiliation

¹ Psychology Program, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona, NJ 08240-0195, USA. lesterd@stockton.edu

PMID: 19320294
DOI: 10.2190/om.58.3.e

Abstract

The role of the Internet in facilitating and preventing suicide is reviewed. Two online suicide prevention programs are described: SAHAR in Israel and Befrienders worldwide. Examples are provided of crisis intervention by e-mail. Finally, some caveats are presented based on experiences with crisis intervention by telephone.

MeSH terms

Communication Barriers
Counseling / methods*
Crisis Intervention / methods*
Health Education / methods
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Internet*
Israel
Program Evaluation
Remote Consultation / methods*
Suicide Prevention*