Identifying communication strategies in suicide prevention education: an evaluation of infographics targeting college students

Objective: Suicide is a leading cause of death among college students. Effective public health campaigns can convey that suicide is preventable and support resources are available on college campuses. In an effort to identify evidence-based communication strategies for these campaigns, this study evaluated infographics combining narrative testimonies (from a sibling vs. friend) with different outcomes (suicide attempt vs. death) alongside didactic information. Participants: College students. Methods: In Phase 1, we developed and pretested the infographics for acceptability and appropriateness. In Phase 2, we compared message strategies to assess identification with the protagonists and effects on attitudes, knowledge, and intentions. Results: Results showed higher identification with the narrative about a friend’s death by suicide and knowledge improvements across all infographics, though attitudes and intentions remained unchanged. Conclusions: These findings offer valuable insights for enhancing suicide prevention communication strategies targeting college students and suggest future directions for refining message design.