Suicide

The media has an important role to play in influencing social attitudes to suicide and potentially the actions of vulnerable people. Research has demonstrated that the way suicide is reported is significant. While some styles of reporting have been linked to increased rates of actual suicide, appropriate reporting can also help reduce rates.

People in despair may be influenced by media reports of suicide, particularly where they identify with the person in the report or where suicide is romanticised, glamorised or otherwise portrayed as an ‘acceptable’ course of action.

There are times when journalists will report suicide because it is considered to be ‘in the public interest’. This might include the death of a prominent person, a death in a public place, or a death that is in some way related to other political or social issues, such as a death in custody. While the media generally take a responsible approach to reporting suicide, examples of inappropriate reporting can still be seen. This may be due to a lack of knowledge or understanding of the issues.

If the media is to reduce the negative impact of reporting and play an important role in educating the public about suicide risk and promoting help-seeking behaviour, they need to be appropriately informed. By learning how to work with the media, people involved in mental health can help to ensure the right messages are getting through.

In preparing to work with the media, it is important to first have an understanding of the potential impact of reporting suicide in certain ways and knowledge of the principles of best practice.