The Perspectives of People With Lived Experience of Suicide On Signs Designed to Encourage Help-Seeking

Abstract: Background: Signage designed to encourage help-seeking is a suicide prevention intervention used at public sites where suicides occur. Aims: We aimed to investigate the perspectives of people with lived experience of suicide on signs that are designed to encourage help-seeking. Method: We conducted a qualitative study using semistructured interviews undertaken in Melbourne, Australia, during April 2021. We showed participants photos of existing Lifeline (Australia’s largest national crisis support line) signage used at public sites that are known for suicide and asked for their feedback. We used a deductive coding approach, guided by the interview topics and study aims. Results: We interviewed 12 participants, and most had previously seen such signs and could recollect elements of these. Participants considered that empathetic and uncomplicated messaging was important and viewed Lifeline branding favorably. Signs that participants perceived as unhelpful were those that contain multiple or unclear messaging, or messaging considered patronizing. The use of the word crisis was also viewed unfavorably by some. Limitations: Study limitations include our small sample size and our broad definition of lived experience. Conclusion: Our results may be of use to organizations looking to create or update signs. Future signs should be codesigned with people with lived experience of suicide.