Evaluation of the Quality of Chat Conversations With the Suicide Helpline Zelfmoordlijn 1813 (CHATQ-1813)

University Ghent

Status: Not yet enrolling

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

Treatments: Other: No intervention

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07176156

ONZ-2025-0321

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 373 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 16+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

373 participants in 1 patient group

Users of the Zelfmoord1813 chat service

Description:

Participants in this study are individuals who contact the chat service of the Zelfmoordlijn 1813 and meet the following criteria: * They are 16 years or older * They are chatting on their own behalf (not for someone else) Participation is entirely voluntary. Before and after the chat conversation, eligible participants are invited to complete a short questionnaire to help researchers understand how the chat affects their emotional state and suicidal thoughts.

Treatment:

Other: No intervention