About Suicide
Suicide & the Media
News stories, article and dramatic presentations on the subject of suicide have come under questions over the past few years. The concern has been that such presentations may stimulate some persons to attempt suicide. To minimise danger, research suggests how the subject should be treated. As a service to the news media and to people making public presentations on the subject of suicide, the Federal government, State government and Suicide Prevention groups have published guidelines to aid journalists in media coverage of suicidal behaviour. We recommend that people who report on suicidal behaviour project an objective, yet preventative message, as well as educate and inform the public. Many local media organisations agree that a suicide should only be reported if:
- it occurred in a public place,
- the victim was prominent,
- it was a symbolic protest of some perceived wrong.
The following general guidelines are offered:
To discourage imitative or copycat suicides, it is important to avoid or minimise
contagion.
Therefore: DO NOT
- Report specific details of the method,
Reason: Minimise contagion (see below for explanation of contagion) - Give descriptions of a suicide as unexplainable, (e.g. "He had everything going
for him")
Reason: This perpetuates the myth of suicide being so complex that we cannot understand the motivation behind such actions. We do understand the motivation - unbearable emotional pain! - Report romanticised versions of the reason for the suicide(s), (e.g. "We want to
be together for eternity.")
Reason: In our culture suicide has very little to do with honour or loyalty, it has more to do with the unbearable pain of a loss which has been experienced. - Give simplistic reasons for the suicide (e.g. "Boy commits suicide because he has
to wear braces.")
Reason: Giving simplistic reasons is likely to perpetuate misunderstanding about the true motivation behind suicide - unbearable emotional pain. - Use cultural stereotypes, (e.g. "Japanese man stabs himself", "Another
Aboriginal man kills himself in prison).
Reason: We need to stop perpetuating stereotypes In general, it is important to report a suicide in a straightforward manner so that the suicide does not appear exciting, the suicidal person does not seem admirable and no approval of the suicide is suggested.
To encourage the prevention of suicide, DO
- present alternatives to suicide (e.g. calling a suicide prevention centre, crisis line, obtain counselling, etc.),
- whenever possible, present examples of positive outcomes of people in suicidal crisis,
- provide information on Signals of Suicide and community resources for those who may be suicidal or who know persons who are.
- raise awareness of the tragedy of suicide and possible prevention strategies.
- promote prevention strategies as worthwhile as First Aid or CPR - people understand the benefits of these skills to save lives
In addition, the print media should:
- print the story on an inside page,
- if the story must go on the first page, print it below the fold,
- avoid the word "successful" suicide - use completed suicide,
- avoid printing a photo of the deceased,
- include a list of warning signs with available resources.
Understanding Suicide Contagion
Suicide contagion is a circumstance in which the suicide of one person is followed by the suicide of several other individuals. Very often the subsequent suicides are copies of the first or are accompanied by references to it. It is important to realise that these additional suicides are not caused by the first. The individuals who committed suicide after the first suicide experienced it as a trigger - they were already in crisis. Even if they believe that they will be joining the other(s) in an after-life (e.g. suicide pacts) or even if they saw the first person as a role model (e.g. the rise of youth suicide after the death of youth idol Kurt Cobain), they would not have committed suicide if they had a strong self esteem. For this reason, contagion is only relevant for "at risk" individuals - those already in a state of crisis.
Media Resource List
- RESOURCE KIT FOR AUSTRALIAN MEDIA PROFESSIONALS FOR THE REPORTING AND PORTRAYAL OF SUICIDE AND MENTAL ILLNESS (Mental Health Branch, Dept of Health & Aged Care) http://www.health.gov.au/hsdd/mentalhe/mhinfo/ems/media.htm#2
- MEDIA RESOURCE KIT for the reporting and portrayal of suicide in Australia
- (Suicide Prevention Australia and the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention)
- Local Management of Media Reporting on Suicide Deaths
- (NSW Dept. of Health)
