Recent reports of several high-profile celebrity suicides could lead to an increase in suicide and suicidal behaviors in the United States. The phenomenon is real, and it’s called suicide contagion. What is known about suicide contagion, and what can be done to prevent it?
Systematic scientific investigations on suicide contagion, or copycat suicide, were spearheaded by David Phillips in the 1970s. The largest copycat effect found was for Marilyn Monroe. When Monroe died in August 1962, with the cause listed as probable suicide, the nation reacted with grief, extensive media coverage and a wave of suicides; according to one study, suicide rates in the U.S. spiked by 12 percent compared to previous years during the month of her suicide.
Following the suicide of Robin Williams in August 2014, suicide rates in the U.S. rose by nearly 10 percent in the four months that followed.
“When I heard about Bourdain, I was sad for him and for all the people who were going to hear about it, and I am also sad for people who might be influenced by it,” said Madelyn Gould, a professor of epidemiology in child psychiatry at Columbia University, referring to the recent death of celebrity chef and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain.
But what can be done about suicide contagion?
“Following exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors within one’s family or peer group, suicide risk can be minimized by having family members, friends, peers, and colleagues of the victim evaluated by a mental health professional,” announced the Department of Health and Human Services. “Persons deemed at risk for suicide should then be referred for additional mental health services.”
Where and How to Get Help
If you feel that you are in immediate danger of hurting yourself or others, please call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. Other resources include your health care professional or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).
GW employees and their families also have access to a number of support services, including the Wellbeing Hotline, which includes up to five free counseling sessions per person, per issue, per year with licensed network professionals. Counseling sessions are available in-person, by phone or via televideo.
In addition, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) recently introduced Telemental Health (PDF), which offers private mental health appointments from the comfort of home and features a network of over 3,000 Telemental Health providers in all 50 states. The service uses secure, video-calling technology to provide real-time access to a behavioral health professional, with no travel and less wait time for appointments.
- You can reduce your wait time for mental health appointments (in-person or virtual) with Express Access. When selecting a provider from UHC’s online directory, choose a provider with a stopwatch icon next to his or her name if you need an appointment quickly; the stopwatch icon indicates to members and care advocates that the provider has agreed to offer an appointment within five business days of the request.
A wealth of mental health resources is available to you and your loved ones online at www.liveandworkwell.com, including a Mental Health Center, a Suicide Prevention Center and a Coping Center.
Moreover, UHC is offering a free emotional Public Help Line that provides access to specially-trained mental health specialists. The Public Health Line’s toll-free number is (866) 342-6892, and is available 24/7 to anyone who may be in need of help.
Read UHC’s Mental Health Support: Suicide Prevention pamphlet (PDF).
