What Worked? Understanding the Reasons for Reductions in Suicidal Thoughts and Negative Emotions After Visiting NowMattersNow.org (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.71136
• Publication Date: 2025-01-17T03:23:39Z
• Authors: Martina Fruhbauerova; David Huh; Ursula Whiteside
• Keywords: Preprint; Negative emotion

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> As individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts increasingly turn to the internet for support, digital tools offer a scalable and accessible means address this urgent need. Platforms like NowMattersNow.org, grounded in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principles, have demonstrated reductions ideation negative emotions, suggesting potential of web-based interventions suicide prevention. However, further investigation is needed identify which features website contribute most effectively these outcomes. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study examines impact resource providing Therapy-based skills personal stories, on reducing emotions users. The goal was reasons evaluate resource’s effectiveness as online self-help. <title>METHODS</title> Data were collected from 3,185 respondents who completed 7-item retrospective survey measuring changes emotional distress. survey, triggered after preset time site, used 1-5 scale measure 'Intensity thoughts' emotions' at baseline post-visit. Longitudinal regression analyses evaluated statistical significance measures, while cross-tabulation identified users found site helpful. <title>RESULTS</title> Respondents reported 0.5-point reduction (average 3.0 2.5) 0.62-point (3.66 3.04). Among those with high thoughts, 54.1% improved viewing. LGBTQI individuals, substance use issues, reporting unusual experiences showed greater improvements compared other groups. frequently cited improvement included “It distracted me,” “I felt less alone,” learned something.” <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> findings suggest that NowMattersNow.org an accessible, intervention shows promise distress, particularly vulnerable populations. Key elements, such fostering social connectedness, distraction, educational content, appear be critical components its effectiveness, indicating self-help can provide short-term management emotions. <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> NA