To the Editor: We report on two suicide attempts in which information about the methods used were obtained from the Internet. Both cases illustrate the danger of having access to information by means of the Internet. Such information may prove detrimental to vulnerable psychiatric patients.

It is extremely easy to access information about suicide from the Internet. Using the search engines Looksmart and Yahoo, we identified several such sites. One site described using guns, overdosing, slashing one’s wrists, and hanging as the "best methods to commit suicide." Other site titles suggested various suicide methods. One site illustrated various methods—lethal doses of poison, their availability, estimated time of death, and degrees of certainty. Another site, by its title, appeared to be about committing suicide; its content, however, was more about repentance.

The Internet is already having a significant influence in medicine and psychiatry. Although, it has a great potential in psychiatric education, clinical care, and research (1), its impact on social issues should not be underestimated. It has not escaped the attention of vulnerable individuals who have been sharing information about suicide. There are examples of interactive notes followed by a suicide fatality (2). Although information from the Internet may be useful for research, these two cases illustrate the potential hazard of its inappropriate use.

Mental health care providers should counsel patients about alternatives to surfing the Web at times of crisis. Help may be available by calling crisis lines, clinicians, friends, or family members.