Health
Is suicide contagious? Mental health experts warn of very real risk
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.
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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 the risk.”
Up to 5% of youth suicides can be attributed to contagion, according to Jennifer Kelman, a licensed clinical care social worker in Florida who works with JustAnswer, an expert help on-demand platform.
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“It doesn’t necessarily increase for everyone in that community, but rather for those who are struggling as well — with depression, anxiety and other feelings that may be overwhelming,” she told Fox News Digital.
5 possible reasons for suicide contagion
Dr. Deborah Gilman, owner and chief licensed psychologist at Fox Chapel Psychological Services in Pennsylvania, shared the following four factors that could contribute to suicide clusters.
1. Normalization
When people hear about suicides, it can normalize the idea of using it as a way to deal with problems, according to Gilman.
Experts encourage people to talk openly and compassionately about mental health to help reduce the stigma. (iStock)
“People often look to others for cues on how to behave,” she told Fox News Digital.
“If they see that many others are choosing suicide, they may believe that it is the socially acceptable or ‘correct’ thing to do.”
2. Copying or modeling
“Some individuals may feel a sense of connection or empathy with the person who died and may imitate their actions,” Gilman said.
“In close-knit communities, schools or social groups, the suicide of one member can lead to others in the same environment feeling similar distress or engaging in similar behaviors.”
“The more the details are shared, especially in sensational ways, the greater the risk.”
Some individuals may imitate the behavior of someone who has died by suicide, especially if they are already struggling with their own mental health, she said.
“This can be due to a sense of hopelessness or a desire to escape their own pain.”
3. Social proof
People may believe that if others are choosing suicide, it must be a valid option for them as well, according to Gilman.
“From social learning theory, if the observed behavior — in this case, suicide — is seen as a positive outcome or a solution to problems, it may be reinforced and more likely to be imitated.”
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This risk can escalate when a celebrity or widely admired person dies by suicide, she added, as it can have a disproportionate impact on those who look up to that individual.
4. Vulnerability
“Individuals who are already struggling with mental health issues — especially depression and anxiety — may be more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors,” Gilman warned.
Those experiencing difficult life circumstances — such as job loss, divorce or financial struggles — may be more susceptible, she added.
“Pulling away from friends, family or support groups can indicate that the survivor is struggling more than they can manage on their own,” a mental health expert warned. (iStock)
5. Recency bias
“People tend to overestimate the likelihood of events that are easily recalled,” Gilman said.
“If a recent suicide has been widely publicized, it may make the idea of suicide more accessible and salient in people’s minds.”
6 warning signs among survivors
For those impacted by suicide, experts agreed that it’s important to watch for signs of deep distress, including the following.
1. Increased suicidal thoughts
“Experiencing recurring or intensifying thoughts of suicide is a critical warning sign that immediate professional help is necessary,” Gilman advised.
“For instance, the survivor may start having more frequent thoughts about ending their own life or making plans for it.”
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They may also express feelings of being overwhelmed to the point where they believe suicide is the only option, she said.
2. Feelings of being a burden
People saying they feel like a burden is a “major red flag,” according to Thomas Banta, a clinical mental health counselor in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
“Many people who try to end their lives feel they are doing the people around them a favor,” he told Fox News Digital.
“When we hear that type of language, intervention is essential.”
3. Inability to cope with daily life
“Difficulty managing daily responsibilities or activities can indicate that the emotional burden is too great to handle without professional support,” Gilman said.
“It’s crucial to highlight help and hope, encouraging those who are struggling to seek support,” a mental health expert said. (iStock)
The survivor may struggle to maintain a job, manage household duties or care for themselves due to their emotional state.
4. Risky behaviors
Engaging in unsafe or self-harming actions is a serious sign that mental health treatment is needed, experts agree.
“For example, the survivor may start harming themselves physically, such as cutting or burning, as a means of dealing with their emotional pain,” said Gilman.
“Many people who try to end their lives feel they are doing the people around them a favor.”
“Or they may engage in dangerous activities, like reckless driving, promiscuous sex or substance abuse, which puts their health and safety at risk.”
5. Severe mood or behavior changes
Significant changes in behavior or mood that affect a survivor’s ability to function in everyday life can be a sign that they need help, according to Gilman.
This might involve the survivor becoming unusually aggressive, withdrawn or apathetic, or displaying behavior that is significantly different from their “normal” demeanor.
Participating in unsafe or self-harming actions is a serious sign that mental health treatment is needed, experts agree. (iStock)
6. Withdrawal from support systems
“Pulling away from friends, family or support groups can indicate that the survivor is struggling more than they can manage on their own,” Gilman warned.
The person might avoid social interactions, decline invitations or isolate themselves from people who usually offer support.
The signs aren’t always obvious, however, Banta noted.
“We also see the opposite end of the spectrum, where somebody will make a plan, and their mood lifts because they feel like they have found an escape,” he said.
Preventing contagion after a suicide
Experts offered the following tips to help reduce the risk of “clusters” following a suicide.
1. Use careful communication
“It’s important to be cautious about how we discuss suicide publicly,” Fenkel said.
“Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
The best way to prevent contagion is through responsible communication, she advised.
“This includes limiting the specifics around the method of suicide and focusing on the impact of the loss,” she said.
2. Offer support
Offering access to crisis resources can help vulnerable individuals feel connected and supported, Fenkel said.
The best way to prevent contagion is through responsible communication, an expert advised. “This includes limiting the specifics around the method of suicide and focusing on the impact of the loss.” (iStock)
“It’s crucial to highlight help and hope, encouraging those who are struggling to seek support,” she said, noting that many schools and communities provide mental health services to help those who are grieving.
Banta agreed, noting that intervention and higher levels of care can stabilize people and help them develop a robust support system.
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“In terms of public health communication, we must let people know that treatment works and that there is effective help out there,” he said.
3. Stop the stigma
“Stigma can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can contribute to suicidal ideation,” Gilman warned.
When people feel comfortable discussing their mental health concerns without fear of judgment, they are more likely to seek help from professionals, she noted.
“I have worked with many people who felt hopeless and that their lives would never improve, but then they did,” a therapist told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
Fenkel agreed, encouraging people to talk openly and compassionately about mental health.
“Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide should know that there is help available, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness,” she said.
Suicide is a “fleeting state of mind,” Banta pointed out.
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“I have worked with many people who felt hopeless and that their lives would never improve, but then they did,” he said.
“So if you are struggling and reading this, there is help. Don’t give up.”
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Collagen supplements have exploded in popularity, touted as everything from an anti-aging miracle to a muscle recovery booster.
But a sweeping new review conducted by U.K. researchers suggests that while collagen may help improve skin elasticity and ease arthritis pain, it does little for athletic performance or wrinkle reduction.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University analyzed 16 systematic reviews and 113 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 8,000 participants worldwide, which they say is the most extensive evaluation of collagen’s health effects to date.
The review found consistent evidence that collagen supplementation improves skin elasticity and hydration over time and provides significant relief from osteoarthritis-related joint pain and stiffness, according to findings published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum.
A large U.K. review found that collagen supplements may improve skin elasticity and hydration over time. (iStock)
The researchers, however, did not find meaningful improvements in post-exercise muscle recovery, soreness or tendon mechanical properties (strength, springiness and stretch resistance).
“Collagen is not a cure-all, but it does have credible benefits when used consistently over time, particularly for skin and osteoarthritis,” co-author Lee Smith, professor of public health at Anglia Ruskin University, said in a statement.
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“Our findings show clear benefits in key areas of healthy aging, while also dispelling some of the myths surrounding its use,” Smith added.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in the body, supports skin, bones, tendons, cartilage and connective tissue, according to experts. Natural collagen production begins to drop in early adulthood and declines more sharply with age.
The study found that collagen supplements may help reduce joint pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis. (iStock)
The review found that long-term collagen supplementation was linked to improved skin firmness and hydration, but did not help skin roughness — a proxy for visible wrinkles.
Benefits appear to accumulate gradually, suggesting that collagen should not be viewed as an “anti-wrinkle ‘quick fix,’ but as a foundational dermal support for individuals seeking holistic skin maintenance,” the researchers said.
“If we define anti-aging as a product or technique designed to prevent the appearance of getting older, then I believe our findings do support this claim for some parameters,” Smith told the BBC. “For example, an improvement in skin tone and moisture is associated with a more youthful-looking appearance.”
Collagen supplementation was linked to reduced pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis, with stronger benefits seen over longer periods of use, and showed modest improvements in muscle mass and tendon structure that may support healthy aging.
Collagen did not significantly improve skin roughness, a marker of visible wrinkles. (iStock)
However, it did not show meaningful results when used as a fast-acting sports performance supplement, and evidence for benefits related to cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and oral health was mixed or inconclusive.
Dr. Daniel Ghiyam, a California-based physician and longevity specialist, said the findings align with what he sees in clinical practice.
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“Collagen is a targeted support tool, not a foundation of health or performance,” Ghiyam, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “When marketed that way, it makes sense. When marketed as a cure-all, it doesn’t hold up to the data.”
The authors noted that while many previous collagen studies have received financial support from the supplement industry, the current review did not receive industry funding.
Experts say collagen supplements may offer modest benefits for skin hydration and joint comfort, but they are not a cure-all. (iStock)
The team called for more high-quality clinical trials examining long-term outcomes, optimal dosages and differences between collagen sources, such as marine, bovine and plant-based alternatives.
Among its limitations, the review could not determine whether certain forms of collagen work better than others or what the optimal regimen should be.
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While the review included randomized controlled trials, the quality of the studies varied, with newer research generally showing stronger results.
Experts say more data and studies are needed to build on the findings. They also noted that diet plays a crucial role in skin health.
Collagen supplements, often sold as powders or pills, may improve skin elasticity and ease joint pain, experts say. (iStock)
Dr. Erum Ilyas, a Pennsylvania-based dermatologist and chair of dermatology at Drexel University College of Medicine, noted that the review analyzed previously published meta-analyses rather than generating new primary data.
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“At this time, I have not seen sufficiently strong independent evidence to routinely recommend collagen supplements to my patients,” Ilyas, who was not involved in the review, told Fox News Digital.
“Although some studies show modest improvements in markers such as hydration and elasticity, there remains limited independent, biopsy-confirmed evidence demonstrating sustained increases in dermal collagen content,” she added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the researchers for comment.
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As colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50, a new report reveals some surprising shifts in the incidence of the disease.
Although rates of CRC have been declining among seniors, those 65 and under are facing a rise in diagnoses, according to a report titled Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2026, from the American Cancer Society.
Adults 65 and younger comprise nearly half (45%) of all new colorectal cancer cases — a significant increase from 27% in 1995, states the report, which was published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The disease is rising fastest among adults 20 to 49 years old, at a rate of 3% per year.
Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50. (iStock)
Among adults 50 and under, 75% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Half of the diagnoses in that age range are made between the ages of 45 and 49. Although that age group is eligible to receive routine screenings, just 37% do so.
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The report also revealed that rectal cancer is on the rise, now accounting for about one-third (32%) of all CRC cases — an increase from 27% in the mid-2000s.
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“After decades of progress, the risk of dying from colorectal cancer is climbing in younger generations of men and women, confirming a real uptick in disease because of something we’re doing or some other exposure,” said Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director, surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report, in a press release.
Among adults 50 and under, 75% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Half of the diagnoses in that age range are made between the ages of 45 and 49. (iStock)
“We need to redouble research efforts to understand the cause, but also circumvent deaths through earlier detection by educating clinicians and the general public about symptoms and increasing screening in people 45-54 years.”
It is projected that 158,850 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed this year, and that the disease will cause 55,230 deaths, per the report.
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More than half of CRC cases can be linked to high-risk behaviors, the researchers said. Those include lack of nutrition, high alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise and obesity.
“These findings further underscore that colorectal cancer is worsening among younger generations and highlight the immediate need for eligible adults to begin screening at the recommended age of 45,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society.
When the disease is caught at a local (early) stage, the five-year survival rate is 95%. (iStock)
“The report also shines a light on the crucial importance of continued funding for research to help discover new therapies to treat the disease and advance patient care.”
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When the disease is caught at a local (early) stage, the five-year survival rate is 95%, the report stated.
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A new study suggests that middle-aged men may be more vulnerable to faster biological aging, potentially linked to exposure to “forever chemicals.”
The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Aging, examined how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS, could impact aging at the cellular level.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals commonly used in nonstick cookware, food packaging, water-resistant fabrics and other consumer products, the study noted.
Their chemical structure makes them highly resistant to breaking down, allowing them to accumulate in water, soil and the human body.
Chinese researchers analyzed blood samples from 326 adults enrolled in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2000.
A new study suggests that middle-aged men could face accelerated biological aging at the cellular level due to exposure to PFAS. (iStock)
The researchers measured levels of 11 PFAS compounds in participants’ blood and used DNA-based “epigenetic clocks” — tools that analyze chemical changes to DNA to estimate biological age — to determine how quickly their bodies were aging at the cellular level, the study stated.
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Two compounds, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), were detected in 95% of participants.
Higher concentrations of those chemicals were associated with faster biological aging in men of certain age groups, but not in women.
“People should not panic.”
The compounds most strongly linked to accelerated aging were not the PFAS chemicals that typically receive the most public attention, the researchers noted.
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“The associations were strongest in adults aged 50 to 64, particularly in men,” Dr. Xiangwei Li, professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the study’s corresponding author, told Fox News Digital.
“While this does not establish that PFAS cause aging, it suggests that these widely present ‘forever chemicals’ may be linked to molecular changes related to long-term health and aging.”
The study found that two of the compounds were detected in 95% of participants, and higher levels were linked to faster biological aging in men ages 50–64. (iStock)
Midlife may represent a more sensitive biological period, when the body becomes more vulnerable to age-related stressors, according to the researchers.
Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, may influence biological aging markers, potentially increasing vulnerability to environmental pollutants.
While Li said “people should not panic,” she does recommend looking for reasonable ways to reduce exposure.
That might mean checking local drinking water reports, using certified water filters designed to reduce PFAS, and limiting the use of stain- or grease-resistant products when alternatives are available.
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Meaningful reductions in PFAS exposure will likely depend on broader regulatory action and environmental cleanup efforts, Li added.
The researchers noted that midlife could be a particularly sensitive stage, when the body is more susceptible to stressors associated with aging. (iStock)
Study limitations
The researchers outlined several important limitations of the research, including that the findings show an association, but do not prove that PFAS directly causes accelerated aging.
“The study is cross-sectional, meaning exposure and aging markers were measured at the same time, so we cannot determine causality,” Li told Fox News Digital.
The study was also relatively small, limited to 326 adults age 50 or older, which means the findings may not apply to younger people or broader populations.
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Researchers measured PFAS levels using data collected between 1999 and 2000, and today’s exposure patterns may differ.
Li added that while PFAS is known to persist in the environment and the body, these results should be validated through larger, more recent studies that follow participants over time.
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