Evaluation of the Quality of Chat Conversations With the Suicide Helpline Zelfmoordlijn 1813

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Suicide Prevention; Suicide; User Experience; Suicidal Ideation

• Registration Number: NCT07176156
• Lead Sponsor: University Ghent

Brief Summary

Suicide remains a serious public health issue in Flanders. Every day, nearly three people die by suicide, and many more attempt it or struggle with suicidal thoughts. The Zelfmoordlijn 1813 is a free and confidential helpline that offers support to people in crisis through phone, chat, and email. In 2024, volunteers had over 23,000 conversations, including nearly 3,000 via chat.

This study, led by the Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention (VLESP) in collaboration with the Centre for Suicide Prevention (CPZ), aims to better understand how people experience the chat service of the Zelfmoordlijn 1813. While previous research has looked at the impact of phone conversations, little is known about how chat conversations affect suicidal thoughts and feelings.

To explore this, people who contact the chat service will be invited to fill out a short questionnaire before and after their conversation. These questionnaires take about 3 minutes each and are completely voluntary. They ask about feelings like hopelessness, crisis, and perceived support, as well as satisfaction with the chat.

The goal is to improve the quality of chat-based crisis support and ensure that people in emotional distress receive the best possible help. This research will help strengthen suicide prevention efforts in Flanders.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Study First Submitted: 2025-09-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-08
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-16
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-16
• Study Start: 2025-09-23
• Primary Completion: 2026-12-31
• Study Completion: 2026-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 373

Inclusion Criteria

• being at least 16 years of age
• they are chatting on their own behalf (not for someone else)

Exclusion Criteria

• indication that they do not meet these criteria or are not interested in the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in Suicidality	Pre- and post-measurement (immediately before and after the chat conversation)	Suicidality is assessed using six key indicators: crisis, hopelessness, helplessness, sense of control, intent to die, and perceived social support. These indicators are measured through short online questionnaires administered before and after the chat conversation with the Suicide Line 1813.; This set of indicators was selected based on prior research into the effectiveness of suicide prevention helplines and core concepts regarding suicidality.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
User Satisfaction with the chat conversation.	Post-measurement (immediately after the chat conversation)	During the post-measurement (immediately after the chat conversation), participants are asked about their satisfaction with the chat, their experiences regarding understanding and any additional comments they wish to share.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention, Ghent University; 🇧🇪 Ghent, East-Flanders, Belgium