Asuicide epidemic is a large number ofsuicides taking place over a period of time in a manner that resembles a diseaseepidemic. Such epidemics have occurred in the formerSoviet Union in the 1990s,[1] amongpolice officers,[2] onIndian reservations,[3] and inMicronesia.[4] TheWerther effect occurs when suicides that are made publicly known encourage others to imitate them.[5] It has been suggested that the teaching of stories such asRomeo and Juliet may help teens to be more open in discussing suicideamong young people.[6]