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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A new injectable therapy is showing positive results in reducing melanoma throughout a five-year period.
The personalized mRNA cancer therapy, called intismeran autogene, combined with the cancer immunotherapy drug KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), is a collaboration between Merck and Moderna.
The results from the phase 2b KEYNOTE-942 study were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 27.
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After about a five-year follow-up, the combo drug was found to reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% compared to pembrolizumab alone.
The researchers analyzed data from 157 patients with high-risk stage 3 and 4 melanoma whose cancer had been removed via surgery. The participants were split into two groups — one received the combo therapy and the other only received pembrolizumab, according to a press release.
The therapy was found to reduce the risk of melanoma recurrence or death by 49% compared to pembrolizumab alone after a five-year follow-up. (iStock)
The findings revealed that the combination group saw benefits that were “sustained and durable over time.”
Intismeran autogene is designed using mutations identified in a patient’s own tumor, with the intention of teaching the immune system what the cancer looks like so that it can recognize and attack it.
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According to the researchers, intismeran is “well-tolerated” with a “manageable” safety profile.
The most commonly cited side effects of the personalized mRNA vaccine plus KEYTRUDA were fatigue, injection-site pain, chills, fever and headache. The researchers reported no new long-term safety concerns and no severe vaccine-related adverse events.
The combination therapy is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 study — the final confirmation stage.
Patients with late-stage melanoma have a “significant risk” of cancer recurrence, according to an expert. (iStock)
In a Merck press release from January, Kyle Holen, MD, Moderna’s senior vice president and head of development, oncology and therapeutics, noted that this data highlights the “potential of a prolonged benefit … in patients with resected high-risk melanoma.”
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“We continue to invest in our platform in oncology because of encouraging outcomes like these, which illustrate mRNA’s potential in cancer care,” he said.
Dr. Marjorie Green, senior vice president and head of oncology, global clinical development at Merck Research Laboratories, also commented that for many patients with stage 3 or 4 melanoma, there is a “significant risk of recurrence following surgery.”
Researchers confirmed that the combination therapy is currently being evaluated in a phase 3 study. (iStock)
“As such, demonstrating the longer-term potential of intismeran autogene and KEYTRUDA to reduce the risk of recurrence for certain patients with melanoma is a meaningful milestone,” she said.
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The company cited encouraging five-year follow-up data and pointed to upcoming late-stage INTerpath trial results with Moderna in several hard-to-treat cancers.
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An accidental lab discovery has opened the door to entirely new ways of preventing the flu.
While investigating how influenza replicates, researchers discovered that different flu strains use completely different strategies to infiltrate human cells, SWNS reported.
By targeting the specific molecules the viruses rely on, scientists found that they could block them from entering new cells and halt their replication altogether.
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Researchers say these “fundamental insights” into seasonal influenza highlight a clear path toward developing better preventive medications.
“The hope is that fundamental, curiosity-based research like this helps to pave the way for novel strategies to treat and prevent influenza infections,” principal investigator Dr. Emily Bruce, from the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine, said in the SWNS report.
While investigating how influenza replicates, researchers discovered that different flu strains use completely different strategies to infiltrate human cells. (iStock)
While several flu strains cause illness, H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses are the most common. However, current flu tests cannot differentiate between them, and clinical treatments are identical for both.
Although vaccines and antivirals are available, Bruce noted a “dire” need for better medications to stop the virus from spreading cell to xxcell.
“You don’t get sick when a virus is in one cell,” he noted. “You get sick because a virus replicates itself and goes into many more cells.”
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The study, which was published in The Journal of Virology, originally aimed to map how viral RNA segments are transported within cells to create new viral particles.
The team used H1N1 and H3N2 viruses isolated from the nasal passages of positive patients in 2022.
Clinical treatments remain identical for both primary strains of the flu virus. (iStock)
During the investigation, the team unexpectedly stumbled upon a cellular pathway that blocked the virus from entering lung cells, SWNS reported.
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The data revealed that when a specific human protein called Rab11B was depleted, H3N2 viruses failed to enter human lung cells. H1N1 viruses were completely unaffected.
Using reverse genetics, the team mapped this defect and uncovered a brand-new, H3N2-specific role for Rab11B during viral entry.
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This discovery challenged the scientific assumption that all flu viruses enter cells the same way.
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“Viruses are like pirates from different countries hijacking someone’s ship,” Bruce said. “Different viruses, like different types of pirates, use different methods to get onboard.”
This discovery challenged the scientific assumption that all flu viruses enter cells the same way. (iStock)
“We had previously thought that all flu viruses used the same way to get into a cell, but we discovered that this is not true,” she went on. “H1N1 and H3N2 need different proteins to get in, and if you get rid of the right protein, a specific virus can’t get in.”
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While these findings identify a critical cellular pathway for viral entry, the study was conducted using isolated cells, the researchers acknowledged.
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Further research is needed to determine whether blocking the protein is safe and effective within a live, complex human respiratory system.
Bruce and the team hope to conduct further research to determine whether this Rab11B-dependency is a fundamental property of H3N2, or if it’s a trait unique to currently circulating flu strains.
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Eating processed meat like ham, sausage and bacon may be linked to a higher risk of certain types of cancer, according to new research.
While health organizations have already confirmed that processed meat can contribute to colon cancer, this study looked closer at cancers in the upper digestive tract, where the link has historically been less clear.
To understand these connections, researchers from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), one of the world’s largest long-term nutrition and cancer cohorts, tracked the health and diets of 450,112 people across Europe for an average of 14 years.
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The study group included 131,426 men and 318,686 women, according to the study’s press release.
During the follow-up period, 876 people developed stomach cancer and 215 people developed esophageal adenocarcinoma, which is cancer of the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.
For female participants, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk of developing the disease. (iStock)
Researchers tracked where the stomach cancers grew, separating them into the upper part of the stomach near the throat and the lower part of the stomach.
The researchers also sorted the tumors into two categories based on how the cancer cells appeared under a microscope: intestinal, which forms more organized structures, and diffuse, in which the cells are more scattered throughout the tissue.
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After adjusting for other lifestyle factors, the researchers found that for every extra 30 grams of processed meat a person ate per day, their overall risk of stomach cancer went up by 9%. Eating that same extra 30 grams a day was also linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
A standard single slice of regular deli-sliced ham or lunch meat averages around 28 grams, according to USDA data and nutritional tracking databases.
An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken and turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach. (iStock)
An extra 20 grams of white meat, such as chicken or turkey, was linked to a 12% higher risk of cancer in the main body of the stomach, the researchers noted.
The study also revealed differences between men and women. For male participants, only processed meat showed a clear, statistically significant link to a higher risk of stomach cancer. For female participants, however, eating both processed meat and white meat was linked to an increased risk.
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These findings align with global health benchmarks, particularly those established by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The agency has long classified processed meat as a known human carcinogen, primarily due to its strong, well-documented links to colorectal cancer.
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However, health organizations have also consistently pointed to a potential, yet less definitive, relationship between these meats and cancers of the stomach.
Eating 30 grams of processed meat a day, or the equivalent to one slice of ham, was linked to a 13% higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. (iStock)
Further scientific investigation is needed to confirm the findings and to account for other underlying risk factors, such as certain stomach infections, which could interact with dietary habits.
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A key limitation of the study is its reliance on self-reported diets, which can sometimes lead to inaccuracies in how participants recall their meat consumption over time, the researchers noted.
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The findings were published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers requesting comment.
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