An Exploration of Moderator Support for Online Suicidal Behaviors

An Exploration of Moderator Support for Online Suicidal Behaviors

Individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) often turn to informal settings such as online mental health forums for much needed, and often lifesaving support. Despite the exponential growth of online forums, suicidology research has not focused on professional moderators who are responsible for ensuring the safety of these spaces. This program of research sought to address the gaps in the professional moderator research by undertaking three qualitative studies: a scoping review, a collective case study that consisted of semi structured interviews with moderators, and an in-situ examination of real-life moderator practices. Findings confirmed that little is known about the experiences and practices of moderators, with the moderator role perceived as multifaceted, complex, and constrained with moderators wishing that they could do more to support those experiencing STBs. Examining moderator real-life practices showed that moderators work in sophisticated ways, reflecting a dual risk and safety lens, where they work collaboratively with other forum users to transform risk presentations into safety actions. An original and significant contribution of this research is that a shift in focus away from how individuals become at risk, to how they are made safe is needed to move the field forward. This shift would ideally be amongst a transparent backdrop of a culture of safety, where practitioners work collaboratively and in partnership with colleagues and importantly the populations they serve.

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.