Sneha, 19, was known for her bubbly, carefree nature. But three suicide deaths among young people in her social circle over the past two months have left her struggling to cope. The latest, involving an online friend she had known for six years, has been particularly difficult to accept.
For three days, she has been inconsolable, repeatedly asking why such incidents are happening among people her age and those she knows. Concerned about the change in her daughter's emotional state, her mother is considering taking her to a psychologist.
Sneha's experience brings into focus an often-neglected aspect of suicide prevention: the emotional toll on friends, classmates and online companions left behind. While families of those who die receive immediate attention, young people in their wider social circle may also struggle with grief, guilt, anxiety and unanswered questions, experts point out.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open in August 2026 underlines why this group needs attention. It found that adolescents and young adults exposed to suicide attempts within their social networks had significantly higher odds of subsequently attempting suicide themselves.
The longitudinal study, titled Suicide Risk After Social Network Exposure to Suicide Attempts in Adolescents and Young Adults, was conducted by Kimberly J. Mitchell of the Crimes Against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire, and Victoria Banyard of the School of Social Work, Rutgers University.
The researchers analysed data from Project Lift Up, a US study that recruited 4,981 participants aged 13 to 22 years through social media between June 2022 and October 2023 and followed them for two years. For the analysis of subsequent suicide attempts, they examined 2,098 participants who had no history of such attempts at the beginning of the study.
The findings were striking. Young people exposed to a suicide attempt within their social network had 2.78 times higher odds of subsequently attempting suicide. Even after accounting for depressive symptoms, the odds remained 2.43 times higher. Exposure was also associated with higher depressive symptoms over time, although the study did not find a statistically significant association with the onset of new suicidal thoughts.
The researchers cautioned that the findings do not establish that exposure directly causes suicidal behaviour. However, they suggest that asking young people about suicide attempts within their social networks could help identify vulnerabilities that conventional symptom-based screening may miss.
The findings are consistent with earlier research. A 2024 systematic review published in The Lancet Psychiatry, which examined 90 studies involving young people aged 11 to 25 years, found that friendships and peer relationships have an important bearing on self-harm-related thoughts and behaviour. Young people who had lost a friend to suicide, as well as those supporting friends experiencing suicidal distress, could experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms and grief.
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Comprehensive Psychiatry, drawing on 59 studies involving more than 10.5 lakh people, also found an association between exposure to suicidal thoughts and behaviours among friends and peers and an individual's own suicidal thoughts and behaviours. The association was stronger when exposure involved close friends and peers rather than acquaintances. However, it did not find an association between such exposure and suicide death.
Dr Mustafa Nadeem Kirmani, Associate Professor (Clinical Psychology), Amity Institute of Clinical Psychology, Amity University Haryana, says the emotional impact of suicide can extend well beyond the immediate family through what is described as emotional contagion.
"When a student commits suicide, his or her close friends are also deeply impacted. Negative emotions such as sadness can spread through close relationships and affect the emotional wellbeing of those left behind," he says.
He points out that academic expectations, pressure from parents and teachers, financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, family conflicts and bullying can add to psychological distress among young people. Hopelessness and impulsivity may further compound these pressures.
In this context, the death of a friend can become an additional emotional burden, particularly for adolescents already struggling with personal or academic difficulties.
The challenge for parents is that distress does not always manifest as an obvious crisis. Some adolescents may talk openly about their grief, while others become withdrawn or lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed.
Dr Kirmani says parents should look out for frequent crying, reduced communication, disturbed sleep, changes in appetite and withdrawal from pleasurable activities.
"Parents must closely observe their child's behaviour," he says, stressing that children should be allowed to express their feelings without judgement. Dismissing their grief or expecting them to move on quickly can make it harder for them to seek support.
Dr Vikas Yadav, Principal at SHRI KV (Kendriya Vidyalaya), Andrews Ganj, Delhi, agrees as he stresses that parents should maintain friendly communication with children and take an interest in their friendships. “Losing a close friend to suicide can leave adolescents grappling with guilt, anger, helplessness and unanswered questions about whether they could have prevented the death.”
Teachers, too, can offer reassurance through compassionate conversations, additional attention and a non-judgemental classroom environment.
“They should also have sensitive postvention support — measures to help students and teachers cope after a suicide — so that those affected are not left to deal with the loss on their own,” Dr Yadav adds.
Muskan Khitoliya, Clinical Psychologist and Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Specialist, The Clinics, Green Park, New Delhi, echoes this view. She says teachers should work with parents and school counsellors to identify students who are struggling.
"A grieving child does not need a replacement friend but a dependable support system," she says. However, she cautions against assuming that every young person exposed to suicide will develop suicidal thoughts or behaviour. The response varies, making it important to recognise individual needs rather than treat all affected children alike.
She recommends maintaining open communication, acknowledging children's emotions, preserving everyday routines and encouraging healthy coping habits. Where distress persists or behavioural changes become pronounced, professional counselling can help.
Dr Yadav enlists government initiatives such as Manodarpan, under the Ministry of Education, which provide avenues for students seeking psychological support while the Sahyog sessions for students of Classes VI to XII, conducted through PM e-Vidya, also address emotional wellbeing and stress management. Child Helpline 1098 provides support and protection services to children in difficult circumstances.
Equally important is responsible communication. Sensational accounts, speculation about the circumstances of a death and repeated circulation of details on social media can add to the distress of vulnerable young people. Hence, families, schools and media organisations need to ensure that information is shared sensitively, adds Dr Yadav.
