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"I just might kill myself": Suicide expressions on Twitter
Kamesha Spates1, Xinyue Ye2, Ashley Johnson3
1Department of Sociology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, USA.
Death Studies
|December 18, 2018
Summary
Twitter messages reveal frequent expressions of suicidal thoughts, but most are non-threatening. Discussions often involve sharing suicide prevention resources, indicating Twitter
Area of Science:
- Social media analysis
- Public health surveillance
- Mental health research
Background:
- Social media platforms like Twitter are increasingly used for communication and information sharing.
- Understanding the dynamics of suicidal ideation online is crucial for public health.
- Previous research has explored online expressions of distress, but the specific role of Twitter in suicide discourse requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze Twitter messages for indicators of suicidal thoughts and their spread.
- To assess the nature and prevalence of suicide-related discussions on Twitter.
- To explore the potential of Twitter for disseminating suicide awareness information.
Main Methods:
- Content analysis of 4524 Twitter messages related to suicidal thoughts.
- Quantitative and qualitative assessment of tweet content and user interactions.
- Identification of themes and patterns in suicide-related discourse.
Main Results:
- Expressions of 'wanting to die' were frequent in the analyzed tweets.
- The majority of these 'wanting to die' tweets were assessed as non-threatening.
- A significant portion of suicide discussions involved sharing suicide prevention resources.
Conclusions:
- Twitter can serve as an indicator for the occurrence and spread of suicidal thoughts.
- While concerning expressions exist, Twitter discussions also facilitate the sharing of vital support resources.
- The platform offers an efficient channel for circulating suicide awareness materials globally.
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