Two months after Robin Williams’ death, suicide hotlines still see a spike in calls

Newsweek

In the days after Robin Williams’ suicide was announced in August, crisis hotlines nationwide reported a surge in calls. This phenomenon is anticipated by mental health service providers in the wake of high-profile suicides, but the increase since Williams’ death has been both larger and longer-lasting than in any other case since the establishment of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in 2005. The Lifeline reports that while the spike has gradually diminished over the past two months, counselors are still handling some 200 more calls per day than would typically be expected. Suicide prevention experts applaud the inclusion of hotline information in much of the news coverage of Williams’ death, and are hopeful that the increase in hotline calls means many people who might have been at increased risk are connecting with the support they need.  “The more the media talks about the effectiveness and impact of suicide prevention as opposed to the impact of suicide itself, the more likely people are to get and seek help,” said John Draper, director of the Lifeline. “The story of hope has got to get out there.”

Spark Extra! A recent Spark Research Summary examined specific training elements that improve counselors’ effectiveness on crisis calls.