“An estimated 20 suicide attempts per death by suicide, and millions of people seriously considering and/or making plans for death by suicide each year, the cumulative toll on public health is enormous.“ I am aware that this team is applying for a grant to conduct research on suicide prevention. Their research findings will show the effectiveness of a suicide prevention application/device that personalizes its approach to the user. The research will include qualitative, quantitative, and literature reviews. The research will also show market research on current applications on the market and a value proposition to illustrate the need for a new, more interactive one.

Signing this petition shows that I understand the research project that is focused on creating a tool that would support those in such a deepened emotional distress that they feel their only option is suicide. I believe it is imperative that research be conducted that will show: what are effective communication styles to meet the style of adolescents and young adults, what tools are most effective in working with people who are experiencing suicidal ideation, and what provides a positive experience when working with mental health apps.

The future is in our hands, and we can utilize that by creating something unique that will engage with the user, providing more custom responses, and moving away from the industry standard (mental health apps) one-size-fits-all.

Although I believe that there should not be a barrier between someone who is suicidal and wants support and help, I think that this idea can create a revenue stream to make the app/device self-sufficient and not rely on government funding.

In summary, I endorse this team's research and feel that based upon the findings, something life-saving can be created. This is an opportunity to help those who do not feel heard, and I believe they have a right to be heard; I hope you do too.