Effect of death of Diana, Princess of Wales on suicide and

deliberate self-harm . “The death of the Princess of Wales in 1997 was followed by widespread public mourning. Such major events may influence

suicidal behaviour. To assess the impact of the Princess’s death on suicide and deliberate self-harm (DSH), analysis of the number of suicides and open verdicts (‘suicides’) in England and Wales following the

Princess’s death compared to the 3 months beforehand, and the equivalent periods in 1992-1996, and similar analysis on DSH presentations to

a general hospital, revealed that suicides increased during the month following the Princess’s funeral by approximately 17%. (The author concludes that) the death of a major public figure can influence rates of suicidal behaviour. For DSH, the impact may be immediate, but

for suicide it may be delayed.” British Journal of Psychiatry