What is the Papageno effect, which helps prevent suicide?

Sep 11, 2026 5 min

About this episode

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, research suggests 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? So should the media avoid talking about suicide? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How is toilet paper helping to reduce suicide in Japan? What is the Werther effect? What is the Pygmalion effect? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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