Guidance

Suicide prevention: identifying and responding to suicide clusters

This toolkit, based on research of suicide clusters, is part of PHE's support for the government’s suicide prevention strategy.

• From: Public Health England
• Published: 10 September 2015
• Last updated: 18 October 2019 — See all updates

Documents

Identifying and responding to suicide clusters and contagion: a practice resource

Ref: PHE publications gateway number: GW-716

PDF, 1.94 MB, 89 pages

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Details

This document is for people with responsibility for suicide prevention in local authorities and their partner agencies.

The document includes:

• the meaning of the term ‘suicide clusters’
• identification of suicide clusters
• suggestions for who may be at risk of suicidal acts due to the influence of other people’s suicidal behaviour,
• the mechanisms involved in suicide clusters
• the effects of suicide on other individuals

The steps required at local level to prepare for a suicide cluster are described alongside suggested responses to possible suicide clusters.

Finally, best practice is provided on how to evaluate responses to a cluster, and on using the experience to improve further suicide prevention measures.

Published 10 September 2015
Last updated 18 October 2019 + show all updates

1. 18 October 2019

   Updated document.

2. 10 September 2015

   First published.