Websites and discussion forums have become an important and sometimes
controversial source of information on suicide. Using a case report, our aim
was to examine the responses, attitudes and beliefs that were communicated
on a forum before, during and after a suicide act. We undertook two related
analyses: a qualitative investigation of the messages that were posted
before the suicide and a combined qualitative–quantitative analysis of the
messages posted during and after the suicide. Nearly half the posted
messages before the suicide encouraged the victim to complete the suicidal
act, and a surprising number of posts after the suicide expressed
excitement, although around half of the posts considered the suicide to be
tragic. It is of great importance to increase awareness of suicide signals
and understanding about how to respond to individuals who communicate
suicide intentions on different forums on the internet.