Suicide in the News

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World Suicide Prevention Day comes around once a year. The problem I have with that is that suicide does not wait for such an event. Suicide is 365 days a year and awareness needs to be higher than it currently is, at all times.

Below we have recapped a selection of news stories concerning suicide from the year so far. From musicians, to ordinary people. School assignments to TV shows. Suicide does make the occasional headline, but given it is the number one killer of men under 45, do we talk about it enough?

What can we learn from the death of Chris Cornell?

In a newly-release statement released via attorney Kirk Pasich, Cornell’s family says they believe that “If Chris took his life, he did not know what he was doing, and that drugs or other substances may have affected his actions.” The statement adds: ‘Without the results of toxicology tests, we do not know what was going on with Chris – or if any substances contributed to his demise.’ The statement also cites the side effects of anxiety medication Ativan to include ‘Paranoid or suicidal thoughts, slurred speech and impaired judgement.’

Suicidal Girl’s Care Plan Approved

Sir James Munby, head of family courts in England and Wales, has approved a proposed care plan for the suicidal girl, known as X. This plan, it is hoped, will provide some level of hope and security for the girl’s immediate future.

School Children Told to Write Suicide Notes for Homework

60 teenage pupils were given the task of writing suicide notes for homework as part of an assignment studying Macbeth. The students were asked to imagine the thoughts of Lady Macbeth whilst in a suicidal state.

It’s Not Over Yet; making The Choice to Carry On

Amy Bleuel, the inspirational founder of Project Semicolon, passed away recently, aged only 31. Her project inspired many people to talk about their mental illness, and was a source of hope and strength for people suffering from mental ill health, addictions, and self-harm.

There’s Still Hope

Since the tragic suicide of Chester Bennington, I have read numerous comments which roughly go like this: ‘I have a mental health condition but if someone like Chester with all the money, success, children etc. that he had still couldn’t survive his demons, what hope do I have?’

13 Reasons Why… Does it glorify suicide or start a much needed conversation?

Much has been said since the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why aired. For those who have missed it, this series follows the story of Hannah, a girl in an American high school, who has died by suicide and left tapes behind detailing her reasons. Each ‘reason’ focuses on a different student and how they contributed to her decision.