Mobile applications and suicide: A systematic analysis on the effectiveness of mobile applications for suicide prevention

OpenAlex İngilizce

Objective: This descriptive systematic review was evaluated the effectiveness of mobile applications designed to aimed to prevent suicide. Material and Method: Within the scope of the study, open access Turkish and English articles published in online databases (Web of Science, PubMed, WİLEY, Taylor & Francis Online, Science Direct) between 2019 and August 2024 were reviewed. Randomized controlled trials on mobile applications whose role in preventing suicide was clearly stated in the articles were included in the study. Results: As a result of the screening, seven studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. In four of the included studies, a routine intervention (awareness training, psychotherapy or medical treatment) was compared with an additional mobile application; in three studies, a routine intervention was compared with a mobile application. As a result of the evaluation, different results were obtained in terms of the effectiveness, acceptability and usability of mobile applications. It was concluded that mobile applications with psychotherapy content, especially applied together with face-to-face interventions, provided more positive results in reducing the risk of suicide. However, the level of effectiveness may vary depending on the content of the application, the characteristics of the sample, and whether it is a treatment support. All that, it has been determined that mobile applications are usable but that there is strictly limited data on their acceptability. Conclusion: Mobile applications aimed at preventing suicide are potential tools that can be used in preventing suicide. However, there is no definitive result regarding their alone effectiveness. It is important to increase randomized controlled studies with a large sample, long follow-up period, and high level of evidence.