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How Many People Are Exposed to Suicide? Not Six
Author(s) -
Cerel Julie,
Brown Margaret M.,
Maple Myfanwy,
Singleton Michael,
Venne Judy,
Moore Melinda,
Flaherty Chris
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/sltb.12450
Subject(s) - suicide prevention , suicide rates , medicine , injury prevention , psychology , poison control , demography , psychiatry , medical emergency , sociology
It has long been stated that six people are left behind following every suicide. Despite a lack of empirical evidence, this has been extensively cited for over 30 years. Using data from a random‐digit dial survey, a more accurate number of people exposed to each suicide is calculated. A sample of 1,736 adults included 812 lifetime suicide‐exposed respondents who reported age and number of exposures. Each suicide resulted in 135 people exposed (knew the person). Each suicide affects a large circle of people, who may be in need of clinician services or support following exposure.