Adapting online tools to enable safe communication about self-harm and suicide

Some of the content that young people access online is harmful and can lead to imitative suicidal behaviour. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in young people, and self-harm is associated with an increased risk of suicide. Rangatahi Māori (and their whānau) are disproportionately affected by both self-harm and suicide.

This study aims to enable safe communication about self-harm and suicide in the online environment. It is based on #chatsafe, a set of evidence-informed guidelines and a social media campaign, which was developed and tested with adolescents in Australia. New Zealand’s Suicide Prevention Office has already successfully used the Australian version of #chatsafe in a 2021 response to a high-risk, high-profile death, demonstrating the ability to reach large numbers of young people and equip them with tools to support safety online.

These researchers propose to convene expert panels (of rangatahi, young people and key Māori and non-Māori stakeholders) to see if and how #chatsafe can be adapted for Māori. This adaptation process will be guided by kaupapa Māori approachesand involves the co-development of guidelines to assist rangatahi and young people to communicate safely about suicide and self-harm, and to guide conversations with supportive adults, whānau in order to reduce the risk of harm.