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Peer Review

Dialogue game: Asking about suicide correctly

Reviewed:
Feb 11, 2022 by Psychology
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 4.8 stars
Content Quality: 4.8 stars
Effectiveness: 4.8 stars
Ease of Use: 5.0 stars
Overview:

 

This is a brief simulated conversation about asking a person who may be suicidal how they are feeling, and correctly referring them to receive help. 

The simulation takes the form of a "dialogue game" and includes a script whereby the reader practices talking to someone who may be considering suicide. This exercise can be a useful practice opportunity given that the rates of suicide continue to increase nationally and worldwide. Suicide is a serious public health problem throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization, over 700,000 people die by suicide every year. [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide]

Type of Material:

Simulation

Recommended Uses:

 

  • This simulation would be useful both individually as well as in a student group setting. 
  • The activity can be completed as homework or during class and then used as a discussion starter in any course relevant to the topic of suicide, but also in courses where we discuss working with humans.  
Technical Requirements:

 

This simulation requires a computer with high-speed internet and a web browser (such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge). Due to the interactive nature of this simulation, the learner needs speakers and a microphone to participate fully in the exercise. 

Identify Major Learning Goals:

 

The major learning goals include understanding that we can and should approach someone whom we think may be contemplating suicide. 

This simulation conveys:

1. How to ask for more details if a patient/person appears depressed/suicidal.

2. How to refer a person to help and take important next steps to prevent self-harm.

Target Student Population:

Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

 

  • As the content of this simulation deals specifically with supporting an individual who is suicidal, some background in psychology, counseling, and/or crisis management or behavioral intervention work is advisable. 
  • For implementation/demonstration: It would be helpful to have someone leading the discussion who has more experience than this page provides. 

 

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

 

  • This material is exceptionally well designed, easy to operate, and immediately useful for the stated learning obectives.
  • By reading a script and hearing the responses, one gets some direct practice in a sample dialogue regarding suicide.  
Concerns:

 

  • This particular "dialogue game" provides one example. Additional examples or references to relevant material would be beneficial. The CDC has regularly updated information on suicide rates in the United States; a linkout to this information would help readers/visitors understand the importance of this simulation. 
  • Ads that appear on the site are a bit distracting for this simulation. 

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

 

  • This material along with a discussion will help individuals in many situations reflect on the importance of having these challenging talks that include asking direct questions. The instructions clearly explain that having these talks will not cause suicides. 
  • This material has immediate usefulness for students learning to support patients/students who may present with suicidality. The material is interactive, includes input as well as output with audio, and demonstrates real-life examples of how to interact with a troubled individual.  
Concerns:

 

  • The dialogue will help individuals begin the process, but starting these talks and continuing them with live humans can be quite challenging. Additional examples or suggestions would be beneficial. 

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

 

  • Instructions are clear.  No special programs are needed.
  • This site is easy to operate, and the user has the ability to manually or automatically operate the simulation, allowing greater flexibility. As well, the user may retake the simulation in order to further practice the skills. 
Concerns:

None.

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