New research is focusing on suicide prevention strategies, revealing that small joys can be important during a crisis. Professor Philip Resnik from the University of Maryland’s Institute of Advanced Computer Studies initiated the research using a public Reddit post. A user inquired, “formerly suicidal” individuals about the reasons they continued to live through difficult times, resulting in thousands of responses.
Resnik remarked, “I realized that not only was this a remarkable set of people’s stories, but it was potentially an important source of data that we might be able to analyze and help people.” He, along with a team of collaborators, conducted a computer-assisted analysis of over 16,000 responses.
The team identified what they termed four key themes that significantly influenced individuals. The first theme was the concern for others, which includes not wanting to hurt loved ones or caring for beloved pets. Another theme highlighted was the appreciation for sensory pleasures or distractions such as TV shows, video games, and music.
I think one of the most interesting things that came out of this was small things can actually have a big effect,said Resnik, whose findings are published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The third theme focused on positive foresight or a forward-looking perspective. This includes recognizing the chance of things improving or finding hope in religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs. Lastly, the study identified negative emotions like fear or anger as significant themes.
Psychologist Rebecca Resnik, collaborating with her husband on the project, commented on the insights gained, “This is actually something powerful, and in our minds as clinicians we might miss this.” She mentioned that the findings could help shape future care by paying attention to relationships with pets or looking forward to events.
Therapist and survivor Dese’Rae Stage noted that more work is needed in suicide prevention. Stage founded the “Live Through This” project 15 years ago, documenting personal stories of suicide attempt survivors. She emphasized the importance of considering small joys as lifelines.
Stage shared, “We do always want to be leading people back to, ‘What do you have to live for?’ Even if it’s the tiniest thing.” For her, it’s her children and love of music that help her stay positive.
Stage keeps a list of reasons to stay alive and events to look forward to, spreading the message that small joys can be crucial lifelines.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.”