How Does Virtual Reality Technology Affect Suicidal Ideation in Society?

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Public Health
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Rising rates of anxiety and depression highlight the urgent need for effective mental health interventions.
• Suicide is a global public health crisis requiring innovative prevention strategies.
• Virtual reality (VR) technology offers novel applications in medical and educational fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of virtual reality (VR) technology on reducing suicidal thoughts.
• To compare the efficacy of VR-based training with traditional methods for individuals with a history of suicide.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental study involving 189 participants with a history of suicide.
• Participants were divided into a control group and two intervention groups (traditional training and VR-based training) over 90 days.
• The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation was used to measure changes in suicidal thoughts.

Main Results:

• Training interventions demonstrated a statistically significant effect on reducing suicidal behavior.
• Participants in the VR-based training group showed greater improvements in suicidal thoughts compared to the traditional training group.
• VR technology, utilizing 3D simulation and visualization, significantly impacts users' thoughts and perceptions.

Conclusions:

• VR-based training is an effective method for improving suicidal thoughts in individuals with a history of suicide.
• Healthcare managers and counselors can leverage VR technology in therapeutic and training settings.
• Implementing VR interventions can enhance the management of individuals at risk of suicide.