User Evaluation of Zelfmoord1813.be and Its Related Websites

Monitoring the availability and accessibility of suicide prevention information in Flanders remains crucial. In 2022, 1,024 people died by suicide in Flanders, and approximately 10,000 individuals required emergency care following a suicide attempt.

The third Flemish Suicide Prevention Action Plan outlines several strategies aimed at achieving the health objective of reducing the suicide rate by 10% by 2030 compared to 2020.

One of the initiatives under the first Flemish Suicide Prevention action plan was the creation of a central online platform for suicide prevention. This led to the launch of Zelfmoord1813.be at the end of 2013. The platform serves as a central point of access to relevant and scientifically grounded information on suicide prevention in Flanders. It provides immediate crisis support through Zelfmoordlijn 1813, a free and anonymous helpline available via phone, chat, or email. In addition, the site offers resources for professionals, journalists, students, and others seeking information on suicide prevention.

Zelfmoord1813.be targets a broad audience across all age groups . The website is managed by the Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention, the government-appointed partner organization for suicide prevention in Flanders. One of the key responsibilities of the Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention is to regularly assess the use, reach, and relevance of Zelfmoord1813.be, partly through recurring user research.

This user research investigates visitors' reasons for accessing the platform, whether they find what they are looking for, and their satisfaction with the content. The findings help evaluate whether all target groups are being reached effectively and inform future strategies for promotion, content development, and improvements.

A first user study was conducted in 2020. The researchers now aim to repeat this evaluation. In recent years, three affiliated websites have also been launched: WerkgroepVerder.be (for suicide bereavement support), Mee-Leven.be (focused on suicide prevention in the social environment) and KomUitJeKop.be (specifically tailored to men). These websites are also managed by the Flemish Centre of Expertise in Suicide Prevention and will be included in the current study.

The study aims to include 3,000 participants aged 16 and older. Visitors to Zelfmoord1813.be, WerkgroepVerder.be, Mee-Leven.be or KomUitJeKop.be will see a pop-up invitation to participate after 30 seconds, which disappears after 20 seconds. If they click "yes," they are redirected to a Qualtrics page, where they complete a short informed consent and a 5-minute questionnaire before being returned to the original website.

Additionally, a message on each website will read: "We are curious about your opinion of our website. Please take your time to explore the site. When you're ready, you can share your feedback by clicking this link." This allows users to participate after reviewing the content at their own pace.