After a suicide, the rest of the household faces a higher risk of early death

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-11-26 03:00

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***This media release contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available now. Call Lifeline (Aus) on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Lifeline (NZ) on 0800 543 354. ***

People living in a household where someone has died by suicide face a higher risk of an early death, especially in the two years afterwards, according to Brazilian research. Using data from the households of about 48,000 suicides in Brazil, the researchers tracked deaths of any cause and additional suicides. They say a suicide within a household was linked to a 32% higher risk of death of any cause for the household and a four-fold higher risk of suicide, with over half of those suicides occurring within the first two years. Increased death risks were present for assault and falls as well as various diseases, the researchers say, suggesting a combination of trauma, stress, family disruption and financial hardship could be contributing to this link.