‘The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death’: what J.K. Rowling’s novels teach us about suicide

Suicide is among the most pressing public health problems of the 21st century. Fictional depictions of suicide have long been known to influence the public’s understanding of suicide and, in some cases, can impact suicide rates. Unrecognised to date is that J.K. Rowling is, arguably, the most prolific popular author on the topic of suicide. Dozens of Rowling’s characters and, indeed, each of her books, have a connection to suicide. This review summarises Rowling’s coverage of suicide and discusses the implications. In particular, it explores how her books/series generally include a protagonist who survives a crisis and a foil who succumbs to despair and trauma, and how these narratives relate to what Rowling has said publicly about her own story of survival. Although her treatment of suicide does not always align with recommendations for responsible media portrayals, overall, Rowling’s works have exposed numerous people worldwide to messages of hope and survival, and this deserves scientific attention.