X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Money Tips
    • Savings
    • Insurance
    • Loans
    • Investments
    • Government Benefits
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
    • COVID-19
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

What is "Copycat Suicide" and why should you care?

3 min read
What is "Copycat Suicide" and why should you care?

Suicide clusters are caused by the social learning of suicide-related behaviors, or “copycat suicides”.

Data on Copycat Suicide:

  • Identified 12 spatial clusters between 2010 and 2012.
  • Five occurred among young people (n = 53, representing 5.6% [53/940] of youth suicides) and seven occurred among adults (n = 137, representing 2.3% [137/5939] of adult suicides).
  • Clusters ranged in size from three to 21 for youth and from three to 31 for adults.
  • When compared to adults, suicides by young people were significantly more likely to occur as part of a cluster
  • The clustering of suicidal behavior is more common in young people (<25 years) than adults.
  • The internet and social media might have particularly important roles in spreading suicidal behavior.
  • Suicide clusters can occur as a greater number of episodes than expected at a specific location, including in institutions (eg, schools, universities, psychiatric units, and youth offender units).

Examples of celebrities whose suicides have triggered suicide clusters

  • South Korean actress Choi Jin-Sil, whose suicide caused suicide rates to rise by 162.3%
  • Marilyn Monroe, whose death was followed by an increase of 200 more suicides than average for that August month
  • On May 29, 2019, research published in JAMA Psychiatry outlined an association of increased suicides in 10- to 19-year-olds in the United States in the 3 months following the release of 13 Reasons Why.
  • A 2017 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found the online series 13 Reasons Why which chronicled a fictional teen’s suicide was associated with an increase in suicide-related Internet searches, including a:
    • 26% increase in searches for “how to commit suicide“
    • 18% increase for “commit suicide”
  • The successive suicide deaths of famed designer Kate Spade and chef Anthony Bourdain last year also contributed to fears of suicide contagion because they were broadcast and publicized so widely.
  • Researchers estimate that the 2014 suicide death of actor Robin Williams contributed to a 10% increase in suicides over the following four months.

Natasha Goulbourn Foundation eyes more support for HOPELINE 

Quite recently, the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF), a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing depression to light through the use of educational lectures, confidential crisis lines and referrals to partner psychologists established in 2007 by NGF Founding President and Executive Director Jean Goulbourn, and one of the country’s pioneer independent foundations recognized by the International Association of Suicide Prevention; reiterated their appeal for support for the 24/7 crisis hotline called HOPELINE in gathering for friends and media.

“Suicide cases in the Philippines are rising at an alarming rate, and depression incidences are at an all-time high, and we at NGF and our crisis hotline HOPELINE experience more and more calls every day. We have so far saved more than 300,000 lives,” said Jean Goulbourn.

Goulborn further said, “We are calling on all Filipinos to help us bring this issue, especially depression to light, breaking free from the stigma, the shame, and the fear. Knowing about depression can decrease the risk of suicide.”

Check out their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/hopelineph.

The official HOPELINE numbers are +632 7804 4673; 0917 588 HOPE (4683); and 2919 (toll-free for Globe and TM subscribers).

Reference:

  • Australia Report – IASP
  • National Coronial Information System
  • TheLancet.com
  • “The Werther Effect of Two Celebrity Suicides: an Entertainer and a Politician”. Abnormal Psychology with MindMap II CD-ROM and PowerWeb.
  • “Internet Searches for Suicide Following the Release of 13 Reasons Why” Wikipedia

Also read: Parenting essentials: Developing your child’s self-esteem

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Audrey Torres

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Press Room
  • /
  • What is "Copycat Suicide" and why should you care?
Share:
  • This May 2025: Brands Are Making Life Better, One Story at a Time

    This May 2025: Brands Are Making Life Better, One Story at a Time

  • Celebrate Mother’s Day at Expo Mom 2025: A Weekend Just for Moms

    Celebrate Mother’s Day at Expo Mom 2025: A Weekend Just for Moms

  • Can Modern Life Raise Your Blood Pressure? Here's What MakatiMed Says

    Can Modern Life Raise Your Blood Pressure? Here's What MakatiMed Says

  • This May 2025: Brands Are Making Life Better, One Story at a Time

    This May 2025: Brands Are Making Life Better, One Story at a Time

  • Celebrate Mother’s Day at Expo Mom 2025: A Weekend Just for Moms

    Celebrate Mother’s Day at Expo Mom 2025: A Weekend Just for Moms

  • Can Modern Life Raise Your Blood Pressure? Here's What MakatiMed Says

    Can Modern Life Raise Your Blood Pressure? Here's What MakatiMed Says

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Money Tips
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Lifestyle Section
  • FAMILY & HOME
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it