Evaluating of BERT-based and Large Language Mod for Suicide Detection, Prevention, and Risk Assessment: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Suicide constitutes a public health issue of major concern. Ongoing progress in the field of artificial intelligence, particularly in the domain of large language models, has played a significant role in the detection, risk assessment, and prevention of suicide. The purpose of this review was to explore the use of LLM tools in various aspects of suicide prevention. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, APA PsycNet, Cochrane Library, and IEEE Xplore—for studies published were systematically searched for articles published between January 1, 2018, until April 2024. The 29 reviewed studies utilized LLMs such as GPT, Llama, and BERT. We categorized the studies into three main tasks: detecting suicidal ideation or behaviors, assessing the risk of suicidal ideation, and preventing suicide by predicting attempts. Most of the studies demonstrated that these models are highly efficient, often outperforming mental health professionals in early detection and prediction capabilities. Large language models demonstrate significant potential for identifying and detecting suicidal behaviors and for saving lives. Nevertheless, ethical problems still need to be examined and cooperation with skilled professionals is essential.