WhatsApp Suicide Group: 20-year-old with PTSD turns 4th victim of dreaded chat room
A 20-year-old woman from the UK, who reportedly died by suicide in March 2021, was apparently a member of a bizarre WhatsApp group that discussed suicide and self-harm. Amy Springer's body was discovered in a woodland area near Benfield Valley in East Sussex, UK. Now, the investigation has revealed that three other members of the same WhatsApp chat room had also died by suicide previously. Furthermore, the probe has disclosed that Springer suffered from autism, complex PTSD, and emotionally unstable personality disorder.
Her trauma and mental health issues largely developed after the tragic death of her older brother at the age of six. The incident left Springer with "severe and life-limiting trauma". In 2020, Amy Springer was reported missing as many as 15 times, followed by three times in 2021. During her frequent disappearances, she was found to engage in self-harm practices.
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Prior to her suicide, Springer was reportedly doing better and was in recovery at a center for supported living. However, a psychiatric report designated her to be "at risk". Soon afterward, on March 19, 2021, she was reported missing and her lifeless body was discovered two days later. The cause of Springer's death was ruled as suicide by asphyxiation.
According to the latest report, Springer was a part of an online chat group on WhatsApp formed by individuals battling mental health issues. Though the exact number of members of the 'WhatsApp Suicide Group' was not disclosed, it was revealed that the group frequently engaged in discussing self-harm. The identity details of the three suicide victims before Springer were also kept under wraps.
"She was no doubt deeply loved. But throughout her life she suffered many difficulties and challenges that had a considerable impact on her ability to navigate her teenage years and the early years of adulthood. In the background was a very severe and life-limiting trauma from her childhood. No doubt it caused her considerable pain that she was unable to overcome," Coroner Dr. Karen Henderson shared about Amy Springer.
According to statistics released by Samaritans, in 2020, over 4912 individuals died by suicide in England alone. The male suicide rate had reached a two-decade high last year and was more than double the female suicide rate.
Suicidal behavior presents a major challenge to public health in the US and globally. Approximately one in five youths (18.8%) in the US have seriously considered attempting suicide, one in six (15.7%) made a suicide plan, one in 11 (8.9%) made an attempt, and one in 40 (2.5%) made a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment in 2019, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
If you or someone you know is in crisis you can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1 (800) 273- 8255 - anonymously to just talk to someone about what you're going through.