@article{ref1,
title="A volunteer-run, face-to-face, early intervention service for reducing suicidality",
journal="Crisis",
year="2022",
author="Smart, Sophie E. and Dimes, Hollie and Lumley, Cordelia and Spooner, Steve and Anderson, Sarah and Platt, Stephen and Davidson, Sarah",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Befriending is one of many strategies with the potential to reduce suicidal ideation and decrease the risk of suicide. Aims: To measure change in suicidal ideation and behavior among visitors (service users) supported at The Listening Place (TLP), a charity which offers volunteer-run, face-to-face befriending to people who are suicidal. <br><br>METHOD: This study was peer reviewed and preregistered on the Open Science Framework prior to data extraction. Anonymized data were extracted for visitors at the point of referral and after 3 months of receiving support. Paired-sample tests were used to test whether self-reported suicidal ideation and behaviors changed after 3 months of support from TLP. Multivariable regressions were used to test whether change in suicidal feelings was associated with demographic characteristics or baseline self-reported suicidality. <br><br>RESULTS: TLP received 13,938 referrals from July 2016 to February 2022. Self-reported suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and feelings of distress decreased after 3 months, while feelings of support increased. Only self-reported suicidal behavior prior to referral was associated with a lesser reduction in self-reported suicidality after 3 months. Limitations: In the absence of a control group, it cannot be concluded that TLP causes the reduction in self-reported suicidality. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: An empathetic, nonjudgmental, listening service for people who are feeling suicidal was well received by users, who experienced a reduction in suicidality.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0227-5910",
doi="10.1027/0227-5910/a000879",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000879"
}