Deaths of Despair: Is it really just an American phenomenon?

Improvements in life expectancy have been stagnating across many wealthy countries, including the Netherlands. Deaths from suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related diseases (aka deaths of despair) have been implicated in American longevity declines, but are the Dutch immune to this epidemic?

Dr. Leah Prencipe • December 13, 2023

Adolescent Mental Health in an Evolutionary Perspective

Although adolescents experience 'storm and stress' differently in societies, there is little systematic work on why adult transition is smooth in some and turbulent in others. Combining evolutionary theoretical framework with cross-cultural data can help us understand how and why teen angst varies.

Dr. Kristen Syme • October 19, 2023

Mass Media and the Copycat Effect – A Public Threat?

Media reporting on suicide attacks may increase the likelihood of an at-risk individual with similar views to that of the subject to be inspired to commit a similar attack.

Former Intern at Leiden University • July 01, 2016

The Germanwings Plane Crash: A Homicide-Suicide?

We still do not quite know what to make of Andreas Lubitz’s motivations, the pilot at the controls of the Germanwings airbus that crashed into the French Alps on Tuesday. Some sources point to psychiatric diagnoses to help understand this pilot's action.

Marieke Liem • March 30, 2015

Media Vultures Risk Triggering Copycat Deaths

Reporting on celebrity suicides in a sensationalistic way is potentially harmful as it can lead to 'copycat' deaths.

Marieke Liem • September 01, 2014

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Deaths of Despair: Is it really just an American phenomenon?

Adolescent Mental Health in an Evolutionary Perspective

Mass Media and the Copycat Effect – A Public Threat?

The Germanwings Plane Crash: A Homicide-Suicide?

Media Vultures Risk Triggering Copycat Deaths