Is suicide contagious? Mental health experts warn of very real risk

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This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.

S., with more than 49,000 people taking their own lives in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although most suicides stem from mental health disorders , statistics show that the behavior can sometimes be "contagious," leading to "suicide clusters.

" Suicide clusters are defined as "a group of suicides or suicide attempts that occur closer together in time, space or both than would normally be expected in a community," the CDC states. ON WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY, NEW REPORT IDENTIFIES THREE TOP FACTORS DRIVING SUICIDE RATES Dr. Caroline Fenkel, a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania, who is an expert in suicide prevention, confirmed that the act can have a contagion effect — particularly among young people .

Although most suicides stem from mental health disorders, statistics show that the behavior can sometimes be "contagious," leading to "suicide clusters." (iStock) "When individuals hear about a suicide, especially someone close to their age or in their community, it can feel more accessible as an option in moments of distress," she told Fox News Digital. "The more the details are shared, especially in sensational ways, the greater th.