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You are invited to participate in a research study on the use of social media to communicate suicidality by young people and the implications in rural and remote New South Wales. Before you decide whether you wish to participate in this study, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take the time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. 

 

1. What is the purpose of the study?

The aim of the research is to: understand how and why rural young people (aged 13-24), who were suicidal, use social media platforms; identify when suicidality is imminent; and understand how the community respond to suicidal posts.  The knowledge gained from this research can inform suicide-related policies and practices in clinical, educational and web-based areas. 

 

 2. Why have I been invited to participate in this study?

You have been invited to participate as a rural or remote resident who may have posted or viewed suicide or crisis related posts from young persons on social media feeds, supported or intervened with a young person/s who were suicidal. 

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3. What does this study involve?

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There are a variety of options including:

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Interview: 

If you agree to participate, you will be asked to provide data involving your name*, contact details*, basic demographic information, information about social media use, current suicide risk assessment information and your experience/knowledge of suicidality. You will participate in an interview at a local venue where you will be asked about your experiences/knowledge of suicidality on social media, responses received, actions taken and potential indicators of risk. This interview should last approximately one hour.

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Focus group: 

If you agree to participate, you will be asked to:

a. Provide data involving your name*, contact details*, basic demographic information, information about social media use, current suicide risk assessment information and your experience/knowledge of suicidality.

b. Participate in a focus group at a local venue. You will be asked about your experiences/knowledge of suicidality on social media, responses received, actions taken and potential indicators of risk. 

This focus group should last approximately one hour and will involve a small group of other community members.  If you wish to participate but not in a group context, you can request and individual interview as an alternative.

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Online survey: 

If you agree to participate, you will be asked to provide data involving your name*, contact details*, basic descriptive information, information pertaining to social media use, current suicide risk assessment information and your experience/knowledge of suicidality (self and others). You will also be presented with a series of example social media posts and provide your opinion on the content of the post and any possible actions you would take. This will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

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* Your name and contact details are collected to ensure if in the event of imminent suicide risk, the researcher can facilitate assistance to establish your safety. Your details will be destroyed after 28 days following participation completion, as per National Mental Health Risk Benchmarking Standards. 

 

4. Are there risks and benefits to me taking part in this study?

The major risk is that you could experience emotional distress through the recall of past experiences. You may stop answering or participating any time if you feel uncomfortable, distressed or triggered. 

Benefits include contributing to knowledge which will improve understanding of young people who experience suicidality. As a result, there may be global benefits in terms of directing policy development and suicide intervention initiatives.

 

5. How is this study being paid for?

This study is part of a Doctoral degree program and is unfunded.

 

6. Will taking part in this study cost me anything, and will I be paid?

There is no remuneration for taking part in this study, and there are no costs to participants other than the time to participate.

 

7. What if I don’t want to take part in this study?

Participation in this research is entirely your choice and not taking part will not disadvantage you in any way. Only those people who give informed consent and meet safety requirements will be included in the project.

 

8. What if I participate and want to withdraw later?

If you decide to participate, you may withdraw from the project at any time without reason or penalty. 

 

9. How will my confidentiality be protected?

Any information collected by the researcher which might identify you will be stored securely and only accessed by the researchers listed unless you consent otherwise, except as required by law. All survey data will be aggregated so that it cannot be linked to a participant.  Pseudonyms will be given to each participant for the purpose of describing views or providing quotes that best represent your comments.

  

10. What will happen to the information that I give you?

Please be assured that only the researchers will have access to the raw data you provide. 

Should you disclose that you are currently at immediate risk of suicide, the interview will be terminated and the information pertaining to your risk will be referred on to an appropriate mental health agency in collaboration, which you will be notified of at the time.

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There are minimum periods in which data from research must be stored. The data for this study will be retained in a retrievable format for a minimum of five years following publications arising from the research; however, this information will remain coded ensuring confidentiality. Both the physical data (hardcopy documents) and the electronic data (online survey) will be downloaded to a password-locked USB drive and stored in a locked filing cabinet. 

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All recordings will be destroyed after transcription.

 

11. What should I do if I want to discuss this study further before I decide?

If you would like further information, please contact Ann-Maree (Annie) Fardell Hartley on fardell.hartley@gmail.com or Dr. Judith Crockett on 02 6365 7582.  Your questions will be answered at the earliest convenience. It is also recommended, if you are currently seeking medical or allied health assistance regarding issues of suicide, mental health or grief and loss that you consult your treatment team prior to participating. 

 

12. Can I tell other people about the study?  

Yes, you can tell other people about the study by providing them with the researcher's contact details. They can contact to discuss their participation in the research project and obtain an information sheet.

 

13. Who should I have contact if I have concerns about the conduct of this study?

Charles Sturt University’s Human Research Ethics Committee has approved this project.  If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this project, you may contact the Committee through the Executive Officer, Human Research Ethics Committee Tel: (02) 6933 4213 Email: ethics@csu.edu.au.  Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully and you will be informed of the outcome.

 

14. Who should I contact if I am distressed by this content?

If you feel distressed by any questions or concerned for your own or another’s wellbeing, you should contact the Mental Health Emergency Care Line on 1800 011 511 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Further, an information package containing a selection of support options will be provided to you.

 

Thank you for considering this invitation

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Researcher:

Ann-Maree Fardell Hartley (B.Soc.Sci.(Psych); Grad.Dip.Applied Psych.; M. Suicidology)

Doctor of Philosophy (Health Sciences) student

Charles Sturt University, Orange NSW

 

Supervisors:

Dr Judith Crockett (BA, MA, PhD, DipEnvSt, GradCertAgron, GradCertHum, GradCertTheolStud, AssocDegEducStud.)

Discipline Leader - Biomedical Sciences & Health and Rehabilitation Science, Charles Sturt University, Orange NSW

 

Dr Shaoyu (Shaun) Wang (PhD, BVetMed, CertESME)

Lecturer in Biomedical Science, Charles Sturt University, Orange NSW

 

NOTE:

Charles Sturt University’s Human Research Ethics Committee has approved this project.

If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this project, you may contact the Committee through the Executive Officer:

The Executive Officer, Human Research Ethics Committee

Tel: (02) 6933 4213   Email: ethics@csu.edu.au

Any issues you raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully and you will be informed of the outcome.

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