Suicide rates in the United States spiked almost 10% following the death in 2014 of actor Robin Williams, and spiked even more among men and those who ended their lives, like Williams, by suffocation, according to a study published on Wednesday. An autopsy found that Williams was suffering from Lew body dementia, which causes a progressive decline in mental ability. Suicides following Williams’ death rose by 12.9% in men aged 30-44, and the study found a 32% increase in the number of deaths from suffocation. Extensive media coverage of Williams’ death “might have proved the necessary stimulus for high-risk segments of the US population (e.g. “The media industry can positively or negatively influence imitation suicides,” the study said.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 08, 2018 12:45 UTC