Deep learning can help us eradicate suicide – but only if we let it

a post by Tristan Greene published in Artificial Intelligence [grateful thanks to ResearchBuzz: Firehose for this item]



Humanity’s mental health crisis has reached pandemic proportions. Bluntly put: we don’t seem capable of solving the problem on our own. Cutting edge AI research shows a clear path forward, but society as a whole will have to accept the fact that mental health is real in order for us to take the first steps.

Machine learning researchers in academia, government, and industry are all scrambling to adapt and apply modern artificial intelligence techniques – deep learning in particular – to the suicide problem. The big idea seems to be that AI can act as a sort of early detection system for mental health distress by identifying and monitoring specific markers that indicate suicidal behavior.

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NOTE: This is based on research in the USA and the contact numbers given at the end of the article are for US residents.
Samaritans in the UK can be reached on 116 113 (free from landlines and mobiles 24/7).

NOTE 2: Nothing will replace human face-to-face interaction but it certainly appears that this research has identified means by which that intervention can happen for people who were not thought to be at risk.

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Equal access to online information? Google’s suicide-prevention disparities may amplify a global digital divide

an article by Sebastian Scherr (University of Leuven, Belgium) and Mario Haim and Florian Arendt (University of Munich (LMU), Germany) published in New Media & Society Volume 21 Issue 3 (March 2019)

Abstract

Worldwide, people profit from equally accessible online health information via search engines. Therefore, equal access to health information is a global imperative.

We studied one specific scenario, in which Google functions as a gatekeeper when people seek suicide-related information using both helpful and harmful suicide-related search terms.

To help prevent suicides, Google implemented a “suicide-prevention result” (SPR) at the very top of such search results. While this effort deserves credit, the present investigation compiled evidence that the SPR is not equally displayed to all users.

Using a virtual agent-based testing methodology, a set of 3 studies in 11 countries found that the presentation of the SPR varies depending on where people search for suicide-related information.

Language is a key factor explaining these differences. Google’s algorithms thereby contribute to a global digital divide in online health-information access with possibly lethal consequences. Higher and globally balanced display frequencies are desirable.

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Preventing suicide in Montana: a community-based theatre intervention

an article by Sarah N. Keller (Montana State University, Billings, USA) and  Timothy Wilkinson (Whitworth University, Spokane, Washington, USA) published in  Journal of Social Marketing Volume 7 Issue 4 (October 2017)

Abstract

Purpose
This study aims to examine whether a community-based suicide prevention project could increase willingness to seek professional help for suicidal ideation among young people.

Design/methodology/approach
Online surveys were administered at baseline (n = 224) and six months post-test (n = 217), consisting of the Risk Behavior Diagnosis scale; self-report questions on suicidality; willingness to engage with suicide prevention resources; and willingness to communicate with peers, family members, teachers or counselors about suicide.

Findings
A comparison of means within groups from pre- to post-test showed increases in self-efficacy for communicating about suicidal concerns with a teacher, school counselor or social worker; increases in self-efficacy for helping others; and increases in response-efficacy of interpersonal communication about suicide with a teacher, school counselor or social worker.

Practical implications
Young adults need to be willing and able to intervene in life-threatening situations affecting their peers. In step with narrative empowerment education, personal experiences can be used to communicatively reduce peer resistance to behavior change.

Originality/value
Health communicators tend to rely on overly didactic education and awareness-raising when addressing suicide prevention. This research shows the importance of direct and personal forms of influence advocated by social marketing professionals.

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