Florida Reacts To Celebrity Suicides

The recent deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade could trigger more tragedy., according to one person well-versed on the subject of suicide prevention. 

Steve Roggenbaum at the University of South Florida says media focus on celebrity suicides can lead to more people taking their own lives.

"Repeated coverage of celebrity deaths or other deaths with details and 'committed suicide' in the headline, those kinds of things we know increases the risk with individuals who are vulnerable," he said.

He notes that the Sunshine State is third in the nation in the number of suicides, behind California and Texas... but there are so many people here that suicide "rate" is about average.

"We're ranked 28th out of 51, so we're in the middle of the pack, " he said.

Roggenbaum serves as vice chair of the Florida Suicide Prevention Coalition and he says help is available every day, day and night. 

The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255.


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