SPSMer chat about suicide risk assessment apps, 2/19/17, 9pCT.
In the years since SPSM started (we can’t believe we are writing this sentence) there has been an explosion of app development in the suicide prevention space. And, interestingly enough, there has been very little scientific review for this. There has been an very interesting review of these, and you should read it, here.
And, in recent months, there is even one digital tool (when combined with a blood test) that developers suggest may be able to predict your likelihood of suicide risk with high accuracy.
One area of particular controversy are apps that propose to identify your level of suicide risk. Given that assigning “low/medium/high” risk levels is a somewhat common clinical activity, that also has some controversial empiric basis, and the possible implications of having a digital tool that does this, SPSM will be discussing the implications and issues surrounding these apps.
Watch us LIVE here:
Suicide Prevention Social Media #SPSM 
Bart is breaking up, a lot
http://www.SuicidePreventionApp.com (SPA)
Worlds first APP to ever publicly provide a screening measure to the general public, that helps understand “risk” based on “real-time data input (we are semantically moving to “safety concern” for version 2.0). Also, SPA is the WORLDS first APP to provide a “response protocol” that isn’t directly sourcing the “developers” agenda. Yet another factor, it is fully integrated with Google API so ALL the resources are current. Internally, the APP produces a “report” that dually identifies risk and protective factors.
Theory: In my 1000’s of assessments, each individual was “assessed” or “asked” the same fucking questions by 4-9 people before I got there… Human Behavior 101, after the 2nd person asks those questions and isn’t providing “help” the individual will “mitigate” their symptoms.
With the ability to push a button and send a “report” to the “treating professional” who could then review the symptoms and factors, without having everyone ask the same damn questions.
In a “clinical” test on SPA: 80 1st time users, using SPA 1x with NO clinical experience in suicide assessment or mental health, 40% of users were able to accurately identify 3 of the most important questions to ask after being asked 72-hrs later.
SPA can “educate” ANYONE to “learn” how to ask the right questions about suicide, in a shorter amount of time than ANY program currently available in the world! less than 10 minutes…
So at the end of the day, I have over 20 years of experience with suicide, professionally and personally.
The issue, in my anecdotal experience, is that SUICIE has not standardized screening measure, that then could be carried upon based on specific targets for culture, ethnicity, age, etc…
The problem with “researching” in traditional academia, is that it’s gonna take 10 year just to understand a margin of the worlds needs with suicide. Shit, we will be on MARS by then!!!
Machine Learning & AI will be the best way to “study” and “research” Suicide Prevention Methods in real-time