When the Netflix series ‘13 Reasons Why’, which features teen suicide, first aired in 2017, mental health professionals expressed concerns that the show could have a contagion effect, triggering an increase in suicides among teens inspired by the show. A new study suggests these fears were not unfounded. According to a study published in the Read more
Pua Magasiva has been honoured by his old school, St Patrick’s College Kilbirnie, at a First XV rugby match. The well-known New Zealand actor was found dead in Wellington on Saturday. The St Pat’s team wore black armbands and laid a jersey in front of the haka as a mark of respect before kickoff at the Read more
New Zealand could tackle its youth suicide rate by discouraging unsustainable and isolated communities, a controversial Canadian psychologist says. Dr Jordan Peterson, a clinical behavioural psychologist currently on a talking tour in New Zealand, has drawn protests over his criticism of the #MeToo movement and his huge online following of disaffected young men. “If you’re Read more
An Algerian man’s death at a UK detention centre won’t be the last, says Beatrice Grasso, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) UK’s detention outreach manager. “This is not the first death in detention this year, and I fear it will not be the last time something like this happens. “It is a testament to the Read more
Following widespread community concern about a “cluster” of suicides, Challenge 2000 is actively helping in Porirua City, north of Wellington. Challenge 2000 is a youth development, community and family social work agency. It works mainly throughout the Wellington region. Five Porirua youths have died of suspected suicide since February and hundreds of people have turned Read more
A French priest’s suicide has left shock, sorrow and questions in its wake. Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen said 38-year old Father Jean-Baptiste Sèbe had acknowledged his “inappropriate gestures” with a young woman. At the end of the frank but caring meeting, Archbishop Lebrun blessed Sèbe, who carried out his daily activities as usual before Read more
Intimate partner violence is driving women to suicide and self-harm say Women’s Refuge. Shocking stories from 1,250 women, told during a month-long online survey, were released on Monday: Almost half of the respondents considered taking their own life at least once Most had self-harmed The majority of the women linked their self-harming to their experiences Read more
On Friday, June 8, Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef turned convivial diner to the world, was found dead in Kaysersberg, a small village in the Alsace region of France. He died by suicide at age 61. His death partially eclipsed the apparent suicide of Kate Spade, the fashion designer, especially famous for her accessories. The Read more
I never owned a Kate Spade fashion accessory, but I once almost crossed paths with Anthony Bourdain. What unites them in my mind (besides their celebrity status) is their death by suicide and the fact that they both left not only grieving friends and partners behind but also a child. Kate’s daughter is 13. Anthony’s Read more
When famous people commit suicide, we can expect expressions of shock that “someone who had everything to live for” would do such a thing. The supposed buffer against despair and dread had collapsed. If that could happen to a model of societal success, what did that auger for the rest of us clinging to low Read more