Are mass shootings truly contagious? According to expert, Dr. Jillian Peterson, it’s a form of social contagion, somewhat like a suicide contagion – that’s when a high-profile suicide leads to more people to take their own lives. For example, following the suicide of actor Robin Williams, researchers documented a 10% spike in suicides in the months following his death. Vulnerable individuals who are already struggling with suicidal thoughts read or watched news reports of the actor’s death and then took their own lives.
Source:
NPR
Authors:
Rhitu Chatterjee