Abstract

Objective

The primary objectives of this study were to (1) examine how veterans at risk for suicide understand and interpret suicide prevention messages, and (2) identify message features that support (or hinder) help seeking behaviors.

Method

Individual virtual interviews (N = 40) were conducted from August 2018 to April 2019 with a nationwide sample of veterans who had a recent non-fatal suicide attempt. Participants were exposed to three messages in public circulation that promote help seeking during crisis and an interview guide steered open-ended conversations on the mechanisms of persuasive communication. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a constant comparison analytic strategy in Atlas.ti.

Results

Preferences for particular kinds of messages and features emerged during interviews based on a need for novel, emotionally intense stimuli among veterans. Specifically, messages with solemn themes and darker, more provocative imagery were believed to be particularly potent for engaging those at high risk. Although the goal of promoting help seeking was discernable, actionable steps (crisis line use) were not clearly communicated potentially preventing messages from increasing help seeking behaviors.

Conclusion

While messaging was perceived as capable of intervening to promote help seeking, participants reported distinct communication preferences and needs during periods of high risk. Findings underscore the significance of involving those with lived experience to inform the effective design and use of help seeking messaging targeting veterans at risk for suicide.

• Highlights

• Public messaging (campaigns) is a portable suicide prevention intervention

• Careful study is needed to effectively communicate help seeking messages

• Findings inform the effective use of campaigns with veterans at risk for suicide

中文翻译：

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对有自杀风险的美国退伍军人在危机期间通过公共信息促进寻求帮助的看法

摘要

客观的

本研究的主要目的是 (1) 检查有自杀风险的退伍军人如何理解和解释自杀预防信息，以及 (2) 确定支持（或阻碍）帮助寻求行为的信息特征。

方法

 从 2018 年 8 月到 2019 年 4 月，对全国范围内最近发生过非致命自杀未遂的退伍军人样本进行了个人虚拟访谈 ( N = 40)。参与者接触到了公共传播中的三种信息，这些信息促进了在危机期间寻求帮助，并且采访指南引导了关于说服性沟通机制的开放式对话。使用 Atlas.ti 中的持续比较分析策略分析采访记录。

结果

基于退伍军人对新颖的、强烈的情感刺激的需求，在采访中出现了对特定类型信息和特征的偏好。具体而言，具有庄严主题和更黑暗、更具挑衅性的图像的信息被认为对于吸引高风险人群特别有效。尽管促进寻求帮助的目标是可辨别的，但没有明确传达可操作的步骤（危机热线的使用），这可能会阻止信息增加寻求帮助的行为。

结论

虽然消息传递被认为能够进行干预以促进寻求帮助，但参与者报告了在高风险时期不同的沟通偏好和需求。调查结果强调了让有生活经验的人参与的重要性，以告知有效设计和使用针对有自杀风险的退伍军人的信息寻求帮助。

• 强调

• 公共信息（活动）是一种便携式自杀预防干预措施

• 需要仔细研究才能有效地传达寻求帮助的信息

• 调查结果为有自杀风险的退伍军人有效使用运动提供了依据