Evaluation of the Quality of Chat Conversations With the Suicide Helpline Zelfmoordlijn 1813
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age16+
SponsorUniversity Ghent
About this trial
Suicide remains a serious public health issue in Flanders. Every day, nearly three people die by suicide, and many more attempt it or struggle with suicidal thoughts. The Zelfmoordlijn 1813 is a free and confidential helpline that offers support to people in crisis through phone, chat, and email. In 2024, volunteers had over 23,000 conversations, including nearly 3,000 via chat.
This study, led by the Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention (VLESP) in collaboration with the Centre for Suicide Prevention (CPZ), aims to better understand how people experience the chat service of the Zelfmoordlijn 1813. While previous research has looked at the impact of phone conversations, little is known about how chat conversations affect suicidal thoughts and feelings.
To explore this, people who contact the chat service will be invited to fill out a short questionnaire before and after their conversation. These questionnaires take about 3 minutes each and are completely voluntary. They ask about feelings like hopelessness, crisis, and perceived support, as well as satisfaction with the chat.
The goal is to improve the quality of chat-based crisis support and ensure that people in emotional distress receive the best possible help. This research will help strengthen suicide prevention efforts in Flanders.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
being at least 16 years of age
they are chatting on their own behalf (not for someone else)
Disqualifiers
indication that they do not meet these criteria or are not interested in the study
Trial population
Participants contact the chat service of the helpline Zelfmoordlijn 1813 regarding their suicidality. Participants in the study are recruited via the Zelfmoordlijn 1813's digital chat system. Only chat-users for whom an operator is available at that moment are given the opportunity to participate in the study.
Trial design
Design model
Case-only
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Treatments tested in this trial
No intervention
Other interventionObservational one-time questionnaire study without intervention
Treatment groups
373 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: Users of the Zelfmoord1813 chat service1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Changes in Suicidality
Suicidality is assessed using six key indicators: crisis, hopelessness, helplessness, sense of control, intent to die, and perceived social support. These indicators are measured through short online questionnaires administered before and after the chat conversation with the Suicide Line 1813. This set of indicators was selected based on prior research into the effectiveness of suicide prevention helplines and core concepts regarding suicidality.
Time frame
Pre- and post-measurement (immediately before and after the chat conversation)Secondary outcomes
1
User Satisfaction with the chat conversation.
During the post-measurement (immediately after the chat conversation), participants are asked about their satisfaction with the chat, their experiences regarding understanding and any additional comments they wish to share.
Time frame
Post-measurement (immediately after the chat conversation)Other outcomes
1
Socio-demographic data
Participants will be asked to provide the following demographic information: gender identity and age
Time frame
pre-measurement (immediately before the chat conversation)Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov