The Werther Effect, also known as the imitation suicide phenomenon, is a concept that has been studied in the field of psychology and sociology for decades. This phenomenon refers to the tendency of people to imitate suicidal behaviors after a suicide has been publicly reported in the media or in the community. The name of the effect refers to the novel "The Sufferings of Young Werther" written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1774, in which the protagonist commits suicide, generating a wave of imitative suicides in the society of the time.
Origin of the Werther Effect
The term "Werther Effect" was coined by sociologist David Phillips in the 1970s, who led conducted several studies that demonstrated a correlation between media coverage of suicides and an increase in the suicide rate in the population in the following weeks. Phillips found that suicides of people who were famous or received a lot of media attention had an even greater impact on the imitation of suicidal behavior.
Psychological mechanisms of the Werther Effect
There are several psychological mechanisms that underlie the Werther Effect. First, identifying with the person who has committed suicide can lead other vulnerable people or people with mental health problems to feel more inclined to imitate that behavior. The feeling of loneliness, hopelessness or despair can increase when perceiving that the only way out of problems is suicide, especially if it is presented as a glamorized solution in the media.
In addition, the effect of Emotional contagion also plays an important role in the spread of suicidal behaviors. When a person commits suicide and this is highlighted in the media, an emotional impact is generated on the audience that can lead to imitation of that behavior. The feeling of sadness, despair or helplessness can be contagious and cause a domino effect in other people who find themselves in similar situations.
Relationship with chain suicides
The Werther Effect is closely related to what is known as chain suicides or collective suicides. Chain suicides occur when a series of suicides occur in a short period of time and in a specific geographic area, often as a result of imitation of an initial suicide. This phenomenon has been documented in various communities throughout history and has generated concern among mental health experts and society in general.
Examples of chain suicides
One One of the most famous cases of chain suicides occurred in the 1970s in the city of Palo Alto, California. A young man took his own life in a public area, triggering a series of additional suicides at the same location in the following weeks. This incident led to intense scrutiny of the factors that contribute to chain suicides and the development of strategies to prevent them in the future.
Another emblematic example is that of the city of Bridgend, in Wales, where An unusual increase in the suicide rate among young people was recorded in the 2000s. Excessive media coverage of local suicides was found to have contributed to the spread of the phenomenon, as it created a sense of hopelessness and helplessness in the community.
Prevention of the Werther Effect
Prevention of the Werther Effect and chain suicides is a challenge for both the media and mental health professionals and authorities. It is important to raise awareness among the population about the risks of imitating suicidal behavior and promote suicide prevention messages that emphasize the importance of seeking professional help in situations of emotional crisis.
Recommendations to prevent the Werther Effect
Some recommendations to prevent the Werther Effect include:
- Educate the media about ethical guidelines for reporting on suicides, avoiding sensationalism and graphic details that may increase the risk imitation.
- Highlight in media coverage the help resources available for people in emotional crisis, such as suicide prevention lines and mental health services.
- Provide training in suicide prevention suicide to health professionals, educators and other community actors so that they can detect warning signs and provide support to people at risk.
- Promote open dialogue about mental health and suicide in society, reducing the stigma associated with these issues and promoting empathy and understanding towards those who go through situations of emotional vulnerability.
- Implement suicide prevention strategies at the community level, such as awareness campaigns, sensitization events and support programs psychological for high-risk groups.
Conclusions
The Werther Effect is a real and worrying phenomenon that highlights the influence that the media and society can have in the increase in suicides. It is essential to take preventive measures to prevent the spread of suicidal behavior and promote mental health in the population. Awareness-raising, education and collaboration between different sectors are key to addressing this problem effectively and protecting the lives of those who are at risk.