ep·i·dem·ic

A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time

In my biology class on the ecology and evolution of infectious disease, we often discuss well-known epidemics, such as that of influenza. The term "epidemic" is used in the context of infectious disease, ones that spread through means such as air, bodily fluid, or close contact. However, as a biology and psychology double major, I've come across this term in a different context: suicide epidemics.

Suicide Coverage

While suicidality is not an "infectious disease", the way we talk about it makes it seem like it is in fact infectious. Suicidality is a symptom associated with various conditions, such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder, but it's not discussed as merely a symptom. We have news headlines with "suicide epidemic" when more than one person dies by suicide in a school, community, or even nation within a certain period of time. We discuss "suicide clusters" in a way similar to groups of infected individuals by a disease. The term "suicide contagion" is used when a publicized suicide serves as a "trigger" for another suicide, leading to the "spread" of suicide, or a suicide peak much like a disease epidemic would feature a peak in affected individuals.

Articles incorporate alarming statistics such as "around the world, self-harm takes more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined", "among all Americans, suicide claims more lives than car accidents" and "among young people in the U.S., suicide is the third most common cause of death". Are these ways of discussing suicide drawing much-needed attention to an overlooked issue, or are they just click-bait that adds to the stigma and fear around this topic?

"To those of us who have suffered severe depression—myself included—this
general unawareness of how relentlessly the disease can generate an urge
to self-destruction seems widespread; the problem badly needs
illumination." -William Styron, Times

What does it say about how we view suicides that we use terms like "epidemic" and "contagion" to describe it? Is it viewed almost as an infectious disease? Does that explain why it is such a taboo or even feared topic to discuss openly? How can we change the way we discuss suicidality?

If you need someone to talk to, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 1-800-273-8255, which will connect you to a counselor at a nearby crisis center.