Citation

Atreya A, Mahato T, Nepal S, Paudel S, Sharma B, Acharya B, Bashyal D. Med. Leg. J. 2024; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Medico-Legal Society, Publisher SAGE Publications)

DOI

10.1177/00258172241243169

PMID

38872236

Abstract

The phenomenon of suicide contagion: some individuals, especially vulnerable young people, exhibit increased susceptibility to suicidal ideation when exposed to the suicide of other people. Significant research suggests that exposure to media portrayals, suicide groups and peer suicides may lead to suicide contagion. Prevalent psychosocial and cultural factors in Nepal such as interpersonal conflict, domestic violence, gender inequity and social exclusion probably contribute to suicidal behaviour. This case study investigates a high school student in a rural mountainous community in Nepal, who attempted suicide by hanging following his girlfriend's suicide, and demonstrates how peer suicide exposure prompts imitative behaviour in a vulnerable young person and confirms suicide grief as an underrepresented risk factor. Prompt, supportive interventions for high-risk grievers and societal prevention strategies tailored to adolescents are essential to curb imitative deaths.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescent; attempted suicide; suicidal ideation; psychosocial factors; peer influence