The use of mobile phone applications in suicide prevention and prediction: A narrative review of the literature

Introduction: Suicide is a significant public health concern. In recent years, e-health has expanded in the healthcare sector, leading to the development of numerous applications aimed at assisting individuals at risk of suicide. However, the proliferation of these applications can make their selection for use a complex process. The purpose of this literature review is to identify the potential utility of applications in the prevention and prediction of suicide.

Methodology: The databases Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, APA, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were consulted up to December 2022. A descriptive evaluation of the included studies and their quality was conducted using the Downs and Black scale. Results: Eleven articles from four continents (America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia), published between 2011 and 2022, were included. The diversity of the studies reflects the varied research in this field and generally supports the use of applications in reducing the risk of suicide. Discussion: The sociocultural context and the variety of methodological approaches yield favorable results but limit their generalizability. This indicates the need to consider these aspects in the development of such applications.