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In Palo Alto, California, six teenagers committed suicide from 2009 to 2010. This was followed by another four suicides in 2014 and 2015. Almost all of these suicides were on a stretch of train tracks in the city. In 2016 and 2017, four people (three from the same fraternity and a friend to them all) committed suicide in a small Missouri town. In 2019, Rowan University in New Jersey saw three suicides in just one semester. Why does this happen, and what does it mean? This guide covers everything you need to know about this sad phenomenon, from the suicide cluster definition to why it happens and the warning signs.
Suicide Cluster Definition
A suicide cluster is defined as when a high number of suicides, or attempted suicides, occur close together in a specific time or place, or both. Most definitions state that if three or more suicides happen close together (in time or an area), it’s considered a cluster.
There are two main types of suicide clusters:
- Point clusters. These suicide clusters happen when a greater-than-average number of suicides or suicide attempts happen within a short time at a specific location. For example, a college sees several suicides within 1 year.
- Mass clusters. This is when a greater-than-average number of suicides or suicide attempts happen over a wide geographical area over a specific period. For example, something like a war or a depression may trigger many suicides across the country.
Recognizing suicide clusters is relatively straightforward because there’s almost a pattern. All of a sudden, a community is dealing with excessive suicides that are often similar or impact a similar group of people.
Understanding Suicide Contagion
So, why do suicide clusters happen? Research has shown suicide can be “contagious.” When someone commits suicide, those closest to them are at a higher risk for committing suicide as well. In particular, those who have other risk factors for suicide, such as mental health conditions, family characteristics and stressful life events, are at the most significant risk of being impacted and influenced by a loved one’s suicide to follow suit.
However, suicide contagion doesn’t always have to be direct. Even media reporting on a nearby suicide can influence others to commit suicide themselves.
Factors Contributing to Suicide Clusters
Some of the demographics most at risk for a suicide cluster include those in:
- American Indian or Alaska Native communities
- Prisons and jails
- Psychiatric inpatient facilities
- Hospitals
- Military institutions
- Schools
Other risk factors include:
- Being a teenager or young adult
- A history of substance use, self-harm or mental illness
- Living in an area where the media has been reporting on suicide more than usual
Additionally, it seems men are more at risk for suicide contagion than women.
Prevention and Intervention Strategies
Prevention of suicide clusters is possible with the proper steps.
- Media should be trained on how to report on suicides, including always offering up resources when mentioning suicide. And suicide should never be dramatized or explicitly described.
- Suicide helplines should be shared in community spaces.
- Areas that seem to be the source of the suicide cluster — like a high school — can have prevention talks on the dangers of suicidal thoughts and steps on how to get help.
The media’s role in reducing the risk of suicide clusters can’t be understated. A 2020 study found that when media outlets reported on a celebrity suicide, the number of suicides increased by 8%-18% in the following 1-2 months. In particular, there’d be an increase in the same suicide method the celebrity used. One of the most famous examples of this is Marilyn Monroe. After the famous actress committed suicide, during the following month, there were an additional 303 suicides in the country, representing a 12% increase across the country.
These studies have shown that the media plays a significant role in suicide influence, and more guidelines for responsible reporting are needed to reduce the potentially harmful impact.
And it’s not just the reporting media. Television shows and movies can cause suicide clusters as well. The popular Netflix show “Thirteen Reasons Why” premiered in 2017 and glamorized suicide in the plot line. As the show got more popular, there became a noticeable uptick in suicides among teenagers. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found teenage suicide rose by almost 29% the month after the show premiered.
Prevention at the Individual Level
Communities must — and often do — rally when they realize a suicide cluster has occurred. People band together to spread suicide awareness, share resources and educate the groups at risk. However, actions must be taken on the individual level, too.
Knowing how to spot the signs of someone having suicidal thoughts can be life-saving. Some of the warning signs are:
- Talking about wanting to die
- Expressing that they feel like a burden to others
- Displaying extreme emotions of sadness, anger or hopelessness
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Giving away cherished possessions or making a will
- Having a change in sleeping patterns
- Abusing drugs or alcohol
If your loved one has recently lost others to suicide, take a moment to talk to them about suicide clusters. Gauge their response to see if they seem to be experiencing suicide contagion so you know if you need to take immediate action to help them.
Suicidal thoughts can be dangerous, and the warning signs shouldn’t be ignored. If you’re concerned for your loved one’s safety, you must get them help immediately. You can take them to a hospital for suicide watch. Once they’re released, they’ll likely need to go to a mental treatment facility to get professional help. Recovery is possible for anyone.
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FHE Health offers professional addiction and mental health treatment services. Our compassionate, trained staff knows how to help patients identify, cope with and recover from their issues so they can return to healthy living. Contact us today to learn more about our programs.
