JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Youth suicide is a global epidemic and technology is one strategy to increase participation in preventive interventions. Yet, there is minimal knowledge on how technology-enhanced interventions for youth correspond to the stages of care, from illness recognition, to treatment follow-up.

Objective:

This systematic review aims to examine how technology is used throughout the continuum of care for suicidal youth around the world.

Methods:

Four electronic databases were searched up to Spring 2019 for youth suicide preventive interventions that used technology. The review was not restricted by study design and eligible studies could report outcomes on suicidality and/or related behaviors, such as treatment initiation. An adapted version of the Methodological Quality Ratings Scale was used to assess study quality.

Results:

Twenty-six studies were identified. Findings support the emerging efficacy of technology-enhanced interventions, including declines in suicidality and increases in proactive behaviors. Yet, evidence suggests that there are gaps in the continuum of care and recent study samples do not represent the diverse identifies of vulnerable youth.

Conclusions:

Overall, suicidologists are developing promising technology-enhanced interventions to address global youth suicide. Future studies should target the assessment and treatment initiation stages of the continuum of care, and be tailored for underserved youth demographics.