The Sound of War:
Design for Suicide Ideation Prevention
Case Study
Addressing the sensitive topic of suicidal ideation, a podcast was created to support student well-being and mental health. Across the episodes, three guests from the school, aged 19 to 29 - two male and one female - shared their personal experiences and offered listeners practical tools through simple activities that promote well-being. To boost student engagement and awareness, the project employed a transmedia strategy, integrating multiple forms of communication. Two posters featuring quotes from the podcast were displayed around the school, inviting students to share their thoughts on post-its. These posters encouraged open discussions about personal challenges, helping to normalize conversations around mental health. By sharing their experiences, students fostered a sense of solidarity and understanding, making it easier for others to talk about their struggles.
The Sound of War Podcast​
Transmedia Communication Strategy
This communication strategy received a total of 80 answers for the "overcome difficulties" poster and 120 answers for the "films/documentaries" poster. Regarding the first question, "And you, what difficulty have you overcome in recent times?" the students highlighted their university experience, namely the relationship with teachers and the educational institution by itself; they also highlighted the emotional control, namely the control of feelings of anger; negative love relationships and friendships; monetary issues involving the payment of university; their self-esteem, including body acceptance; anxiety, particularly in public speaking and giving oral presentations; family issues. The students also revealed a case of sexual abuse, living with an ostomy, the fact of being homosexual, being run over, and a job.
Regarding the second question “And you, what film/documentary has inspired you recently?”, students included films that addressed themes such as human relationships, existential emptiness, loneliness, aging, chronic fatigue, suicide, and hope. The students also included directors, series, and podcasts with themes related to mental health. On the post-its, students expressed their creativity in the chosen films and also interacted with each other's post-its.
From here, a product was conceived, associated with the podcast “The Sound of War”, that allows users to listen to it and engages with the community as a tool for preventing suicidal ideation. Users can record their own experiences as well as listen to those of the community. They can also access support from a healthcare professional.
