Spotlighting Suicide Deaths in the Entertainment Industry
by Sharon Squires, RN
TW: Suicide
This article contains language from the literature “committed suicide” that can be harmful and stigmatizing to people experiencing suicidal ideation or action. Therefore, with respect and sensitivity in word choice, “died by suicide; will replace “committed suicide” where appropriate in this article.
Introduction
So many people in the United States are experiencing one or more mental health conditions today. Many go untreated due to mental health stigma, lack of health insurance for mental health care, limited access to care, and where to turn to seek care. As a result, many fall victim to dying by suicide, which is posing a significant challenge to our public health. The effects can be harmful and long-lasting to society. Many mental health challenge factors can be associated with these untimely fatalities, but Anxiety and Major Depressive Disorder have been the leading cause.
The entertainment and creative arts industry has undoubtedly seen more than its fair share of premature deaths. We must get to the cause of celebrities passing away untimely as their entertainment is essential to cultural-societal norms. Entertainment reflects our emotional experiences and can serve as an avenue for healing and well-being. It allows for escaping life stressors and daily mental challenges through movies, TV shows, books, music, live performances, and games. Characters played by Celebrities can inspire us to dream, grow, and overcome difficulties in life. The industry has also been a voice for change, addressing social issues and advocating for various charities and organizations.
Problem Background
One-fifth of the adult population (1 in 5) experience a mental health challenge each year according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI 2023); approximately 23% or 58 million people. Arts and Entertainment were identified among the significant, detailed industry and occupational groups with the highest suicide death rates (Sussell 2021).
A provisional news release in August 2023 by the CDC reported suicide deaths further increased in 2022, rising from 48,183 in 2021 to an estimated 49,449 deaths in 2022, an increase of approximately 2.6%.
The 2021 suicide death rate among US persons of working age is approximately 33% higher than it was two decades ago, and it is four times higher in males than females, with males making up 50% of the population but nearly 80% of suicide deaths (Sussell 2021).
Until recently, there had been little data to prove that the news outlets and social media reporting of untimely passing had an impact on young performers. Sensationalized suicide death reporting is still the norm, especially if it involves a high-profile person. Some medical professionals are still skeptical about the link between premature passing and media coverage, and they wonder if they should follow media rules when covering suicide fatalities (Nied. 2020).
Risks of dying by suicide are associated with low-skilled jobs, lower education attainment, lower socioeconomic status, work-related access to lethal means of suicide, job stress, including poor supervisory and colleague support, low job control, and job insecurity (Sussell 2021).
Identifying Root Causes
According to Harbor Psych 2022, approximately three times as many individuals employed in the entertainment industry, actors, musicians, stage producers, roadies, and those in front of and behind the scenes also struggle with mental health issues. And, the production and tech staff members we do not see, those who labor in the background are just as susceptible as everyone else. These individuals, too, fit the risk criteria for early mortality, the article says.
Charles R. Cross, the author of Kurt Cobain’s biography, ‘Heavier Than Heaven,’ says dying by suicide among celebrities is on the rise because suicide deaths are high among people in America, and it only gets attention when someone well-known passes (Cullen 2020).
There is clear evidence that celebrity suicide death reporting increases death in the general population by 8-18% in the next 1-2 months following, and the method used by a celebrity was associated with an increase of 18-44% of society using the same method (BMJ 2020 & Nied. 2020).
Young adults experience anxiety and depression the most, and Hollywood is full of young adults who have the pressures of being celebrities or striving to become celebrity (Cullen 2020). Many develop anxious conditions and become depressed trying to manage the unrealistic expectations to perform and be perfect consistently.
These young performers are also affected by the constant focus on personal appearance and competition during auditions for roles. The fear of rejection and not getting another audition opportunity, individual and social isolation, lack of a support system, lack of health insurance for treatment, or lack of knowing where to go for help. And, some resort to substance abuse for comfort.
Some character roles and production themes can trigger untimely departures in performing artists when the role played or the story told oftentimes depicts stressful exchanges, violence, or traumatic events. For a person who is teetering with mental health concerns, these character roles and creative narratives can be risky (Knolle 2023 & Alaska 2020).
Awakenings in the Industry
According to (Cullen 2000), some television shows have brought awareness, and several celebrities, such as Lady Gaga, Kristen Bell, and Taraji P. Henson, are speaking out concerning their personal experiences. However, Hollywood companies have been slow beyond offering basic EAP (Employee Assistance Program) Harbor Psych (2022).
Benefits from several companies have been expanded. These include NBC Universal (10), Hulu (six free in-person sessions annually), Snap (up to 16), and Netflix (eight). The article written by authors (Cullen 2020) said EAP counselors are available at select offices of Viacom CBS, Sony, and Warner Media, and the music industry has even taken a proactive approach by providing the touring community access to mental health care.
Additionally, mental health concerns are knocking on the door of entertainment executives, so they are beginning to wake up and realize the severity of the issue. David Hoberman of Mandeville Films believes having a healthy mental capacity is a priority for everyone. He mentioned suffering from OCD and depression in his childhood (Cullen 2020).
Tracey Jacobs, a United Talent Agency (UTA) board member says, “I have experienced mental health issues within my own family and have seen the pain and devastation it causes. Like cancer, mental illness is a serious disease that needs to be treated. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma (Cullen 2020).”
Steps to Prevention
NAMI 2021 reports that some of the warnings include feeling sad, risk-taking behavior, excessive use of alcohol or drugs, drastic changes in mood, intense worries or fears, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, and mental pain and anguish. These factors can have a detrimental effect on rational thinking, with thoughts of untimely departure seeming likely and an easier path to take.
Approaches to suicide prevention include (Live Life 2021):
Limit access to the means to facilitate untimely demise;
Interact with the media for responsible reporting of untimely fatalities;
Foster socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and
Early identification, assessment, management and follow-up for anyone who is affected by dark thoughts and behaviors.
The mental health movement’s attempts to end the stigma surrounding mental health challenges are gaining strength in the media. This is because, despite financial gains, we cannot continue to let entertainment have such a profound impact on people’s lives (Alaska 2020).
For the news media conglomerates and daily storytelling platforms, suicide prevention can be achieved through education, public awareness, and improved protocols for identifying and removing harmful content. Reporting monitors should provide oversight of how suicide fatalities are reported. Reporting should also offer examples of high-profile persons sharing personal stories of resilience and successful recovery from mental conditions and dark thoughts (who.int 2021).
The choice of wording (Michelman 2023) should be given careful consideration to decrease mental health stigma. Words do matter; our language matters.
Creating a supportive environment is another strategy some entertainment companies below have implemented (Cullen 2020) in creating a culture of compassion and understanding as well as peer support:
Comedy Central launched a program called Mental Health First Aid. It “teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health issue (Harbor Psych 2022)”.
Ava DuVernay hired on-set counselors during the filming of ‘When They See Us.’
Glenn Close, founder of the ‘Bring Change to Mind’ nonprofit visited Apple’s Cupertino campus to discuss mental health.
Endeavor offered meditation, yoga, and stress management
Hulu offered meditation, yoga, and guided meditation sessions.
Snap offered journaling and aromatherapy workshops.
Viacom in NYC hosts annual weeklong wellness festivals.
United Talent Agency has brought in professionals like Dr. Drew Pinsky, creating a safe space for sharing stories and offering peer support.
Future Recommendations
It is vitally important to have a cadre of therapists who are familiar with the industry, cognizant of how anxiety, depression, and PTSD are triggered in these workplaces, and willing to adjust their practices to meet the needs of this population (Harbor Psych 2022).
A non-profit organization in the UK (United Kingdom) known as 6Ft From the Spotlight has been providing mental health training and well-being across the country. Their initiative, Wellbeing Facilitators, are trained in on-set positions designed to provide day-to-day support to the crew and senior team members (Meet the Wellbeing Facilitator (2024).
The benefits of Wellbeing Facilitator have been well received across the UK. It certainly is having an impact on decreasing the stigma around mental health challenges. Two-percent of crew members felt comfortable enough to seek mental health support from their line manager or head of department (Meet the Wellbeing Facilitator (2024). Global studios and entertainment producers like Amazon and Warner Brothers have implemented some aspects of the program.
Conclusion
As mental health stigma continues to have a stronghold on mental health conditions in the entertainment industry and society, there is some improvement in people seeking help as discussions are occurring regularly in the open. The industry needed to wake up and it has since the penetration of mental health challenges are being verbalized among its ranks. They have a duty to ensure all performing artists have access to a support network and mental health treatment, and at no cost if necessary.
Society relies on the entertainment industry’s philosophy to guide our beliefs, ideals, values, and attitudes as we navigate daily life issues and circumstances. Our storytelling must convey hope, well-being, and the ability to overcome mental struggles, giving a lifeline to strive for, not annihilate. Life is too precious and needs to be nurtured and loved.
Responsible reporting in the media-news, social, and journalistic – also needs to be done. Careful reporting of celebrity suicide fatalities without the sensationalism surrounding it, nor the method used, nor allowing too much time focusing on the story. Reporting should also gear towards mental health resources, explaining help is available and where to find it, and the positive outcomes of treatment in people success stories.
Once we successfully address the psychological ailments affecting people in programs like the Wellbeing Facilitator; mental health stigmas will decrease, people will feel comfortable and safe in seek healthcare treatment and dying by suicide will be a thing of the past. Good riddance. Additionally, Wellbeing Facilitator could be a catalyst for other program creations designed to address mental health stigmas across humanity as a whole.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicide, there is hope. Please call: National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1–800–273-TALK (8255) or The Trevor Project 1–866–488–7386.
Resources and Support
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 is a free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information, and local resources.
References
Alaska, Candice (2020). Why We Need Responsible Representation in the Film Industry |NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness.
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/December-2020
Cullens et al. (2020). Hollywood’s Mental Health Reckoning Has Arrived. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/hollywoods-mental-health-reckoning-has-arrived-1269807/
Knolle, Sharon (2023). Behind Hollywood's Rise in Suicides - and What to Do About It (thewrap.com) https://www.thewrap.com/suicides-in-hollywood-what-industry-can-do-to-help/
LIVE LIFE: An implementation guide for suicide prevention in countries (2021) https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240026629
Media reports of celebrity suicide linked to increased suicide rates | BMJ (2020) https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/media-reports-of-celebrity-suicide-linked-to-increased-suicide-rates/
Meet the Wellbeing Facilitator - Entertainment Partners (ep.com) https://www.ep.com/blog/meet-the-wellbeing-facilitator/
Mental Health By the Numbers | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness (2023) https://www.nami.org/mhstats
Mental Health Issues in the Entertainment Industry | Harbor Clinic California (harbormentalhealth.com) (2022) https://harbormentalhealth.com/2022/06/10/mental-health-and-the-entertainment-industry/
Michelman, Steven (2023). Dismantling stigma one word at a time. https://www.lightingandsoundamerica.com/mailing/Protocol/PSummer23_MentalHealth.pdf
Niederkrotenthaler et al (2020). Association between suicide reporting in the media and suicide: systematic review and meta-analysis | The BMJ https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m575
Provisional Suicide Deaths in the United States, 2022 | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/US-Suicide-Deaths-2022.html
PREVENTING SUICIDE: A resource for filmmakers and others working on stage and screen (who.int) https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/preventing-suicide-a-resource-for-filmmakers-and-others-working-on-stage-and-screen (2021)
Sussell et al. (2021). Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation-National Vital Statistics System, United States. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/pdfs/mm7250a2-H.pdf
