The global impact of celebrity suicides: implications for prevention

Actor and entertainer Robin Williams died by suicide on August 11, 2014. Three studies conducted in the US, Canada and Australia have shown population level increases in suicide in the months after Williams’ death. Across the three countries, the excess in suicide – beyond what is expected given the long-term trend and seasonal fluctuation – was between 10 and 16%, amounting to thousands of excess suicide deaths. The increases were primarily concentrated in those who used the same suicide method as Williams, and were demographically similar in terms of age and gender. Moreover, Williams’ death elicited a strong reaction of suicidal crisis, suggesting that the excess suicides reflect the reactions to Williams’ death.