Suicide Clusters

A suicide cluster is a group of suicides or suicide attempts that occur close together in time and geographical area. It isn’t necessary for those who pass to have had direct contact — sometimes, knowledge of the first suicide is gained through media exposure.

Suicide clusters appear most frequently among teenagers and young adults. Suicide contagion is the tendency of a person’s or group of people’s suicidal behavior to influence another person to attempt or complete suicide.

Communities should review the CDC recommendations below and develop their own plans BEFORE the onset of a suicide cluster.