Think Life, an Online Self-help Intervention for Coping With Suicidal Ideation

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of an Online Self-help Intervention for Suicidal Ideation

The objective of the Think Life study is to test the effect of an online, unguided self-help intervention, i.e. Think Life. The primary hypothesis is that Think Life will reduce suicidal ideation. The secondary hypothesis is that Think Life will lead to improvements in depressive symptoms, hopelessness, rumination, and anxiety. Positive changes are expected after completing Think Life and at follow-up, twelve weeks after baseline.

The intervention group gains access to Think Life, an online self-help intervention. During 6 weeks they receive a new module on a weekly basis.

The intervention was originally developed by van Spijker, van Straten, and Kerkhof (2010). For this study, it was adapted to the Flemish context and called Think Life. Think Life is mainly based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Additionally, it encompasses elements from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Problem Solving Therapy (PST), and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). It encompasses six modules and every module starts with a psycho-educational section followed by a weekly assignment, core exercises and optional exercises. The participant weekly receives access to a new module. A more detailed description of the intervention is described elsewhere (Kerkhof, van Spijker, & Mokkenstorm, 2013; van Spijker et al., 2010; van Spijker, van Straten, et al., 2014).

Inclusion Criteria: 18 years or older Have internet access and an e-mail account Exclusion Criteria: No suicidal thoughts (i.e. baseline score on Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation = 0)