Protecting Against Suicide Contagion
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Suicide contagion is the process where one suicide may contribute to another. As at-risk populations appear to be more susceptible to suicide contagion, the response by school officials or the media to a suicide can play a role in suicide contagion and has a profound impact on the community.
Because of the high potential for suicide contagion, experts recommend the following:
✅ Do strive to treat all deaths in the same way—have one approach to memorialize a student regardless of manner of death.
✅ Do recognize that this can be an opportunity to emphasize the connection between suicide and mental health issues or to educate about the warning signs of suicide and available resources.
✅ Do utilize social media to disseminate information and promote suicide prevention efforts while monitoring and responding to rumors, conversation about the death, and comments indicating at-risk students.
✅ Do work with the student’s family if they wish to hold a memorial or vigil, and try to hold it off school grounds to avoid tying a school location to memories of the death.
✅ Do provide counselors or other professionals at memorials, vigils, etc. to aid grieving students and watch for at-risk behaviors.
✅ Do encourage constructive efforts such as service days, mental health awareness events, or donations/fundraising for suicide awareness.
⛔ Avoid sensationalism, glorification, or vilification of the individual or event.
⛔ Do not place excessive focus on specific details of the death (method) or how the individual looked after death.
⛔ Do not leave memorials up for an extended period of time or encourage other things that may allow students to dwell or place large focus on the death.
Remember that suicide contagion does not necessarily apply to any or all students. However, those already at risk may perceive the death of another student as an affirmation to their own feelings of helplessness or thoughts of suicide.
See: Suicide Prevention Resource Center: A Tool Kit for Schools
Check your knowledge:
Do you or someone you know need help now?- For medical emergencies, dial 911.
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255.
- For support resources for UBalt students, faculty, and staff, visit the Office of Student Support or call the Student Assistance Program at 1-800-327-2251.
