Talking About the Internet

Because this piece has no abstract, we have provided for your benefit the first 3 sentences of the full text.

Sir: The article "Googling Suicide: Surfing for SuicideInformation on the Internet" by Recupero et al.1 demonstratesthat while most suicide-related Internet "hits" are either suicide-neutralor anti-suicide, the Internet allows individuals to easilyaccess not only Web sites that furnish detailed instructions onmaximizing self-harm but also sites that provide forums forencouragement and support in furtherance of such acts. Thesefindings lead the authors to conclude that "mental health professionalsshould ask patients about their Internet use."

I would agree that clinicians should talk to patients abouttheir lives.’ ‹’ ‹