Abstract
Background: Telephone helplines are considered to play an important role in preventing suicide and self-harm among callers in distress. However, inconsistency in the methods of evaluating such services has limited the firm conclusions that can be drawn.
Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of a UK-based helpline from a service user and helpline worker perspective.
Method: Callers were asked about their mental state at the beginning and end of the call with a short questionnaire. Helpline workers were surveyed about their experiences of using the questionnaire as part of routine service provision.
Results: The helpline was successful at reducing suicidal and self-harming ideation. The short questionnaire method was also successfully integrated into routine practice.
Conclusion: Evaluating the efficacy of helplines can be successfully achieved using the short questionnaire method.
Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of a UK-based helpline from a service user and helpline worker perspective.
Method: Callers were asked about their mental state at the beginning and end of the call with a short questionnaire. Helpline workers were surveyed about their experiences of using the questionnaire as part of routine service provision.
Results: The helpline was successful at reducing suicidal and self-harming ideation. The short questionnaire method was also successfully integrated into routine practice.
Conclusion: Evaluating the efficacy of helplines can be successfully achieved using the short questionnaire method.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 353-360 |
Journal | Crisis |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sep 2016 |
Keywords
- helpline
- evaluation
- suicide
- self-harm