By the Numbers: 7 May 2018
135
The number of people "exposed" to each individual suicide, according to a new article in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior -- How Many People Are Exposed to Suicide? Not Six. From the abstract:
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.
135
The number of people "exposed" to each individual suicide, according to a new article in the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior -- How Many People Are Exposed to Suicide? Not Six. From the abstract:
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.