Prevention of sucidal behaviour in adolescents: Empirical evidence and the development of a digital intervention

Abstract

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29, and its prevalence among adolescents has shown an upward trend in recent years, making it a priority public health issue. At the same time, adolescents and young adults are heavy users of digital technologies and virtual media, which currently represent their primary means of communication, social interaction and emotional expression. This context makes technological interventions a particularly relevant avenue for the prevention of suicidal behaviour. This study comprises two complementary strands. Firstly, it quantitatively analyses the available evidence on the effectiveness of technological interventions in reducing suicide risk among adolescents and young adults. Secondly, based on the evidence identified, it proposes the design and evaluation of a digital preventive intervention aimed at adolescents (aged 12–18), focusing on specific psychological processes that the literature has identified as key explanatory mechanisms of suicidal behaviour. It is expected that the intervention will produce a significant reduction in suicidal behaviours and that the targeted approach to specific mechanisms will demonstrate greater direct efficacy on these processes. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the role of technology in suicide prevention and offers an evidence-based, integrated proposal with potential for application in educational and community settings.