Drive

Valentine’s Day last month was the one-year anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shootings in Parkland, Florida. Last week, two teenage survivors of that shooting tragically took their own lives. Additionally, the father of a Sandy Hook victim also reportedly died by suicide a few days following that news. In the aftermath of traumatic incidents, suicide contagion – where one’s death can lead to suicidal behaviour in others – can happen. Much like Parkland, suicides also followed in the wake of 1999’s Columbine shooting. Closer to home, this can be especially relevant in the wake of the recent Christchurch attack. This is a topic we’ve addressed before on Drive, but in the context of celebrity suicides. Marc Bryant, acting director of Everymind, joined us on Drive once again to discuss, this time on the perspective of losing a loved one in one’s close social circle and on the episodic grief that returns close to the anniversaries of traumatic events.

If you or anyone you know is affected by suicidal ideation and this conversation, please do not hesitate to reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14, at any time of the day.