Google and suicides: what can we learn about the use of internet to prevent suicides?

• Published in: Public health (London) 2018-01, Vol.154, p.144-150
• Main Author: Chandler, V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Correlation analysis; Internet; Males; Mortality; Online behaviour; Prevention programs; Prone; Regression analysis; Reliance; Search engines; Statistical analysis; Suicide; Suicide prevention; Suicides & suicide attempts; Websites; Youth
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2017.10.016

This article studies the statistical relationship between the search propensity of suicide-related terms on Google and the number of suicides. Suicide mortality data from all American states from January 2006 to November 2014 (n = 5372) and data on Google search intensity for the same period was collected. Regression analysis with dynamic components was performed to determine the relationship between search intensity and the number of suicides. First, this article finds a positive simultaneous correlation between search intensity and the number of suicides. The magnitude of this relationship has grown from 2006 to 2014 suggesting an increased reliance on the internet for suicide-related information. Second, search propensity is a significant predictor for the number of suicides for youth and for males. Suicide prevention websites should therefore be designed knowing that at-risk individuals in both groups are probably more prone to look for suicide-related information online. •This article studies the link between the search propensity of suicide-related terms on Google and the number of suicides.•Its sample includes monthly data from January 2006 to November 2014 and all American states.•It finds a positive simultaneous correlation between search intensity and the number of suicides.•Search propensity is a significant predictor for suicides for youth and for males but not for adults or for females.