Mental vulnerability and suicide by contagion during the academic experience

Abstract

Introduction: Suicidal behavior evolves from a multifactorial etiology. Individuals share the same factors from the same society. The social subject at risk is conceived as a desperate situation and alienated through thoughts and values. The
student fits this vulnerable situation. When exposed to detailed, demographic, and census information on local suicide cases, they may unconsciously admit to practicing this behavior and become part of a risk profile. Known as the “Werther effect”, quantitative and qualitative media exposures to the suicide phenomenon
influence the increase in suicide rates in individuals. The degree of influence impacts a dose-effect relationship and depends on variable characteristics for the process of imitation, identification,
and reproduction of the event. An example of influence in the imitation process is the dissemination of techniques and, for the identification process, the presentation of names and profiles, such as celebrities or the social context of the suicide. The adequacy of disclosed information and awareness are essential elements for the success of suicide prevention  programs. Objective: Establish the relationship between the mental vulnerability of higher education students and their predisposition to contagious suicide. Method: This is an integrative literature review based on SciELO, LILACS, Pubmed/Medline, RCAAP, and RCIPEA databases using the descriptors: “suicide attempt,” “students,” “media,” and “mental health.” Result: 3,143 articles were found in the searched databases. After reading the title and abstract and considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 articles were eligible for the
study. Two important textbooks were added to the references on the researched theme, and two articles were examined in the gray literature. Discussion: Higher education is a stage when there is possible psychological fragility, and it must be considered a risky period for mental disorders and tragic outcomes. Suicide news should be approached discreetly and be carefully reported without exaggerated details so that there is no praise for several aspects of the fact. The young population is particularly vulnerable to the contagion effect for suicidal  ideation due to a greater inclination
towards identification and imitation phenomena. Adequacy of disclosed information and awareness are essential elements for the success of suicide prevention programs.