Suicides boost calls to hotlines
Celebrities’ deaths prompt many to seek information on warning signs
The deaths of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain and fashion designer Kate Spade this week have led to an uptick in calls to suicide prevention hotlines.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline saw a 25% increase in volume over the last two days compared to the same period last week, said Frances Gonzalez, director of communication for the Lifeline.
“More people are calling the Lifeline to get help,” Gonzalez said. “The Lifeline has been proven to de-escalate moments of crisis and help people find hope.”
The high-profile deaths have led to an increase of 25% to 30% in inquiries to crisis lifelines and text services from those who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts as well as concerned loved ones, said Dan Reidenberg, executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE).
“We’re so extremely busy. Every time we put down the phone another call comes in. We are glad people are reaching out who are in need, though.
“People are going to get help. It may just take a little bit longer.”
Dan Reidenberg Executive director, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
That’s what we’re here for,” said Rachel Larkin, director of crisis prevention at EveryMind, a nonprofit in Montgomery County, Md., that operates a suicide hotline. “I think we’re all worried and it’s been very, very busy. Both Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain are people a lot of people related to.”
In New Jersey, the NJ Hopeline received 49 calls between 6 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday. That’s a 70% increase from normal call volume, according to Ellen Lovejoy, a spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Health.
“More people are calling out of concern about someone else. They are asking about warning signs and guidance on what to do,” Lovejoy said. “Several callers specifically mentioned the news about Anthony Bourdain’s death.” Bourdain, 61, who was born in New York and raised in New Jersey, died Friday.
When asked if Reidenberg has seen a similar increase in calls following previous suicides of stars such as Robin Williams in 2014, he said, “It’s been even greater just this morning. From around the world I can see the level of interest and people wanting to help.”
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found Thursday that suicide deaths in the United States have increased nearly 30% since 1999.
Reidenberg said that in times of tragedy, one of the main suicide prevention goals is to make sure that people have the right information as a means to prevent another death.
“We need to have people understand that just because there was a high-profile death by suicide it doesn’t mean it has to be your outcome, too,” he said.
Jane Pearson, chair of the Suicide Research Consortium at the National Institute on Mental Health, said that the suicide prevention community is on “high alert” with the close timing of the two celebrity deaths.
“We’re concerned about how our crisis resources are responding,” Pearson said. “We already know we could need more (prevention) resources.”
Despite the high volume of calls, people should know their calls will not go unanswered, Reidenberg said.
“Everyone will get service. People are going to get help,” Reidenberg said. “It may just take a little bit longer.”
In the case of celebrity deaths, those who identify with or admire that specific celebrity may also be at an increased risk for suicide.
“When you’re talking about celebrity so many more people are going to know about that person, and that person is going to touch those people’s lives. Thus, more people are going to be affected,” said Heather Senior Monroe, director of program development at Newport Academy, a rehabilitation center.
Reidenberg encouraged those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide or are affected by the celebrity deaths to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or a local crisis center.
“We know that one of the best ways to help in people feeling disconnected is allowing them to feel connection with other human beings,” Monroe said.
Jill Harkavy-Friedman, vice president of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, said that these are teachable moments to educate the public about prevention.
“What we want to make sure is that people struggling identify with suicide prevention options rather than the people who have died by suicide,” she said.