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. 2024 Oct 15:26:e52354.
doi: 10.2196/52354.

Internet Search Activity for Intentional Self-Harm Forums After a High-Profile News Publication: Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Nora Clancy Kelsall  1 , Catherine Gimbrone  1 , Mark Olfson  2 , Madelyn Gould  1   2 , Jeffrey Shaman  3   4 , Katherine Keyes  1
Affiliations

Internet Search Activity for Intentional Self-Harm Forums After a High-Profile News Publication: Interrupted Time Series Analysis

Nora Clancy Kelsall et al. J Med Internet Res. .

Abstract

Searches for "pro-suicide" websites in the United States peaked during the week a high-profile news story was published and remained elevated for 6 months afterward, highlighting the need to avoid mentioning specific sources of explicit suicide instructions in media publications.

Keywords: Google Trends; depression; harmful information; journalism; media; mental health; quality of life; self-harm; suicide; suicide risk; websites.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: JS and Columbia University declare partial ownership of SK Analytics.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Time trends for searches related to (A) the website named in the news article and (B) pro-suicide websites.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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