Representation of suicide in suicide memes

Abstract

The present article provides an overview of current research on suicide memes, their role in the formation of suicidal ideation, as well as their impact on the Internet users’ mental health in general. The model of “cyber suicide contagion” by P. Marsden is applied to assessing memes’ suicidogenic potential. According to this model, it depends on the emotional representation of suicide in a meme. Currently existing suicide memes’ classifications are being reviewed and assessed for their further development and practical application. The following theoretical classification of suicide memes is proposed: non-humorous “pro-suicidal”, non-humorous “anti-suicidal” (such as used in suicide prevention organizations), humorous suicide memes. It is hypothesized that emotional representations of suicide in humorous memes: 1) vary in different memes; 2) are determined by individual perception; 3) both positive and negative aspects of suicide representation need to be present in order for a comical effect to occur. Presumably, in case of humorous suicide memes, a more complex perception of suicide arises, which may simultaneously reflect a presence of suicidal thoughts and a critical attitude towards them. A number of modern studies is analyzed, highlighting positive and negative aspects of suicide memes’ impact on mental health. It is concluded that suicide’s representation in a meme is not the only factor determining its suicidogenic potential.