Citation

Smart SE, Dimes H, Lumley C, Spooner S, Anderson S, Platt S, Davidson S. Crisis 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Publisher Hogrefe Publishing)

DOI

10.1027/0227-5910/a000879

PMID

36073206

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Befriending is one of many strategies with the potential to reduce suicidal ideation and decrease the risk of suicide. Aims: To measure change in suicidal ideation and behavior among visitors (service users) supported at The Listening Place (TLP), a charity which offers volunteer-run, face-to-face befriending to people who are suicidal.

METHOD: This study was peer reviewed and preregistered on the Open Science Framework prior to data extraction. Anonymized data were extracted for visitors at the point of referral and after 3 months of receiving support. Paired-sample tests were used to test whether self-reported suicidal ideation and behaviors changed after 3 months of support from TLP. Multivariable regressions were used to test whether change in suicidal feelings was associated with demographic characteristics or baseline self-reported suicidality.

RESULTS: TLP received 13,938 referrals from July 2016 to February 2022. Self-reported suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and feelings of distress decreased after 3 months, while feelings of support increased. Only self-reported suicidal behavior prior to referral was associated with a lesser reduction in self-reported suicidality after 3 months. Limitations: In the absence of a control group, it cannot be concluded that TLP causes the reduction in self-reported suicidality.

CONCLUSIONS: An empathetic, nonjudgmental, listening service for people who are feeling suicidal was well received by users, who experienced a reduction in suicidality.

Language: en

Keywords

mental health; suicide; befriending; charity; nonclinical intervention; volunteering