What is the Papageno effect, which helps prevent suicide?

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What is the Papageno Effect which helps prevent suicide?

Thanks for asking.

You may have heard of the Werther Effect, named after Goethe's 1774 novel The Sorrows of Young Werther. After the story's hero takes his own life, the book was linked to a wave of copycat suicides. Even today, researchers suggest that when a celebrity's suicide receives extensive media coverage, suicide rates can rise by an average of 13%.

The effect has been observed following the deaths of Marilyn Monroe, Dalida, Kurt Cobain and Robin Williams. So what is the Papageno Effect? It's the opposite of the Werther Effect. The name comes from Mozart's opera The Magic Flute. Heartbroken, Papageno considers suicide, but three spirits help him to see another way forward. According to psychiatrist Clem M'Guillet, stories of people, including celebrities, who have overcome a suicidal crisis, can encourage others to seek help. The way the media tells the stories matters too. A 2005 study by the Medical University of Vienna, which analyzed nearly 500 news reports on suicide, found that coverage can either increase or reduce suicide risk, depending on how it's handled. So, should the media avoid talking about suicide? Not at all, but it should report on it responsibly. One often cited example came in 2022, when Belgian singer Stromae spoke openly about experiencing suicidal thoughts during a television interview. The broadcast was followed by a surge of more than 10% in calls to France's National Suicide Prevention Hotline. That's why the Papageno Prevention Program, made up of psychiatrists and communication specialists, encourages journalists to highlight recovery, promote access to mental health support and avoid romanticising suicide. For example, portraying a heartbroken teenager's suicide as a tragic poetic act can encourage vulnerable people to identify with the story. The program also recommends avoiding detailed descriptions of suicide methods to reduce the risk of copycat behaviour.

The Papageno effect may even extend to television. A 2019 study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan examined Netflix's 13 Reasons Why. While the series was criticised for its graphic portrayal of a teenager's suicide, researchers also found possible benefits. Young viewers reported greater empathy towards people experiencing psychological distress and lower rates of self-harm than those who hadn't watched the show. There you have it.

Now you know what the Papageno effect is. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you really will know for sure.