Key messages
- •
Suicide clusters occur more frequently in young people than in adults
- •
They can occur as a larger number of episodes than expected at a specific location, including in institutions such as schools, universities, psychiatric units, and young offender units, or as linked episodes spread out geographically that occur over a relatively short period of time
- •
The effect of suicidal clusters on communities and institutions is usually profound and associated with a sense of panic
- •
Some of the mechanisms involved in clusters include social transmission (particularly via person-to-person transmission and the media), perceptions that suicidal behaviour is widespread, assortative relating whereby susceptible young people are more likely to socialise with others at risk than other young people, and social cohesion contributing to the spread of ideas and attitudes
- •
The internet and social media might have particularly important roles in spreading information about suicidal behaviour, which might facilitate its occurrence
- •
Responding to an apparent cluster should include bereavement support, provision of help for susceptible individuals, engaging with the media proactively, and population approaches to support and prevention
- •
Social media and the internet can provide powerful means for disseminating helpful information (including tools to support those who self-harm), reaching young people at risk, and encouraging susceptible youth to seek help