Internet Search Activity of Young People With Mood Disorders Who Are Hospitalized for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: Qualitative Study of Google Search Activity

Abstract

Background Little is known about the internet search activity of people with suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). This data source has the potential to inform both clinical and public health efforts, such as suicide risk assessment and prevention. Objective We aimed to evaluate the internet search activity of suicidal young people to find evidence of suicidal ideation and behavioral health–related content. Methods Individuals aged between 15 and 30 years (N=43) with mood disorders who were hospitalized for STBs provided access to their internet search history. Searches that were conducted in the 3-month period prior to hospitalization were extracted and manually evaluated for search themes related to suicide and behavioral health. Results A majority (27/43, 63%) of participants conducted suicide-related searches. Participants searched for information that exactly matched their planned or chosen method of attempting suicide in 21% (9/43) of cases. Suicide-related search queries also included unusual suicide methods and references to suicide in popular culture. A majority of participants (33/43, 77%) had queries related to help-seeking themes, including how to find inpatient and outpatient behavioral health care. Queries related to mood and anxiety symptoms were found among 44% (19/43) of participants and included references to panic disorder, the inability to focus, feelings of loneliness, and despair. Queries related to substance use were found among 44% (19/43) of participants. Queries related to traumatic experiences were present among 33% (14/43) of participants. Few participants conducted searches for crisis hotlines (n=3). Conclusions Individuals search the internet for information related to suicide prior to hospitalization for STBs. The improved understanding of the search activity of suicidal people could inform outreach, assessment, and intervention strategies for people at risk. Access to search data may also benefit the ongoing care of suicidal patients.

Information needs and sources of information among people with depression and anxiety: a scoping review

“…Thirty-eight studies identified information needs related to treatment for depression. The top three information needs within this theme were treatment options and comparison between options (24 studies, 63.2%) [ 6 , 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 30 – 46 ], side effects of treatment (19 studies, 50.0%) [ 6 , 13 , 16 , 18 , 21 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 38 , 41 , 43 – 45 , 47 – 52 ], and effectiveness/benefits of treatments and expected outcomes (15 studies, 39.5%) [ 6 , 13 , 16 , 18 – 21 , 33 , 34 , 40 , 41 , 44 , 49 , 50 , 53 ]. Other information needs included general information on medication (14 studies, 36.8%) [ 15 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 31 , 35 , 37 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 53 – 56 ], appropriate use of medication (13 studies, 34.2%) [ 13 , 16 , 19 , 20 , 22 , 37 , 41 , 43 , 48 , 49 , 51 , 53 , 57 ], length of treatment (7 studies, 18.4%) [ 19 , …”

“…Thirty-two studies identified information needs for general facts about depression. Within these studies, the most frequently identified specific needs were symptoms/signs of depression (15 studies, 46.9%) [ 7 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 30 , 35 – 37 , 42 , 45 , 47 , 50 , 59 – 61 ], general information on depression (13 studies, 40.6%) [ 15 , 16 , 18 , 30 , 39 , 44 , 49 , 52 , 56 , 59 , 61 – 63 ], diagnosis (11 studies, 34.4%) [ 13 , 21 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 38 , 45 , 47 , 55 , 58 ], and aetiology (10 studies, 31.3%) [ 6 , 13 , 16 , 18 , 31 , 35 , 37 , 41 , 47 , 61 ]. Other information needs within this theme included prognosis of depression (6 studies, 18.8%) [ 6 , 16 , 31 , 36 , 49 , 58 ], information on suicidal thoughts (4 studies, 12.5%) [ 16 , 37 , 42 , 64 ], prevalence of depression (3 studies, 9.4%) [ 18 , 35 , 47 ], recent research on depression (2 studies, 6.3%) [ 35 , 61 ], whether depression is normal (2 ...…”

“…Twenty-four studies reported information needs within the theme of healthcare services, which included available local services and treatment facilities (14 studies, 58.3%) [ 6 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 45 , 55 , 56 , 58 , 59 , 64 ], how or where to get help (8 studies, 33.3%) [ 13 , 33 , 38 , 52 , 54 , 63 – 65 ], support groups and patient associations (7 studies, 29.2%) [ 16 , 31 , 32 , 55 , 56 , 59 , 64 ], healthcare professionals (6 studies, 25.0%) [ 6 , 15 , 16 , 30 , 56 , 64 ], information on the mental health system (2 studies, 8.3%) [ 13 , 35 ], role of psychologists (2 studies, 8.3%) [ 16 , 34 ], and how to get a further supply of medication [ 49 ].…”

“…Current information sources of people with depression are summarised in Table S 5 . Media was the most frequently reported source of information (32 studies), including browsing the internet (e.g., depression websites, search engines, Wikipedia; 27 studies, 84.4%) [ 6 , 15 , 16 , 18 , 20 – 22 , 30 – 32 , 39 , 41 , 42 , 44 – 47 , 51 , 52 , 56 , 57 , 60 , 61 , 63 , 64 , 68 , 69 ], broadcast media (11 studies, 34.4%) [ 31 , 38 , 39 , 44 , 47 , 51 – 53 , 68 – 70 ], and online forums/groups and social media (8 studies, 25.0%) [ 13 , 15 , 18 , 20 , 30 , 37 , 56 , 57 ]. Health professionals was also a frequently mentioned information source (31 studies), including general healthcare professionals (26 studies, 83.9%) [ 6 , 18 , 20 – 22 , 31 , 33 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 41 – 44 , 48 , 50 – 53 , 57 , 60 , 61 , 70 – 73 ], mental health professionals (12 studies, 38.7%) [ 6 , 18 <...…”

“…This may be due to various factors including the lack of information about depression and anxiety provided to patients and the public, patients’ difficulties interpreting the provided information, information failing to reach the targeted population, or presentation formats not aligning with patients’ preferences. Indeed, some studies reported that some patients who are in contact with mental health services may still fail to absorb information provided by healthcare professionals [ 19 ] and may seek additional information from other sources such as the internet [ 16 , 20 – 22 ].…”