Lived experience videos versus educational factsheets on suicide help-seeking intentions and stigma amongst international university students

Introduction: International students experience high rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, but often do not seek help due to stigma. This study evaluated the impact, safety, and acceptability of two types of health promotion content (lived experience videos versus educational factsheets), amongst international students studying in Australia.Methods: In this quantitative experimental study, international students aged 18-25 years (n = 267), were randomised to view either four co-designed lived experience videos, or textual factsheets, across the course of seven days. The General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ), Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS-SF), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were completed at baseline and follow-up. Results: Linear mixed effects models found a significant main effect of time on GHSQ scores (p < .001), indicating overall increases in help-seeking intentions across both groups, but no group or interaction effects. There was also a significant main effect of time on PHQ-9 scores (p < .001), with reductions in depressive symptoms across both groups, but no group or interaction effects. No significant effects were observed for SOSS-SF scores, suggesting no change in suicide-related public stigma. Though feedback data was positive for both conditions, videos were rated as more trustworthy, engaging, relevant, relatable, helpful, and easier to understand than the factsheets.Discussion: Findings suggest that both psychoeducational factsheets, and lived experience-focussed videos, are safe and acceptable, and can increase help-seeking intentions and reduce distress amongst international students. Future work should examine whether these formats reduce suicide self-stigma specifically, and whether they improve help-seeking behaviours as well as intentions.