Suicide and the media

 ‘…there is overwhelming and ever-increasing evidence that the media can play a significant role in either enhancing suicide prevention efforts or weakening them. The media may provide useful educational information about suicide or may spread misinformation and perpetuate myths about it.

Crucially, depending on their content and overarching narrative, media reports about suicide can increase the risk of further deaths by suicide or can help to provide information that may prevent other suicides from occurring.’
Preventing suicide: a resource for media professionals, World Health Organisation, 2023

The media can both positively and negatively affect suicide. It is influential and holds a moral and ethical responsibility to report, discuss and portray suicide in a way that positively supports and helps suicide awareness and prevention. 

How can the media help?

There is guidance available from the World Health Organisation and Samaritans that shares more about the different ways the media can help and, how and why certain ways of reporting can be helpful or harmful.

Here are just a few of the ways the media can help:

Awareness raising

• Share information to help people understand more about suicide risk, recognise warning signs and know how they can help
• Share signposting information about help and support available

Responsible reporting

• Make sure reporting doesn’t sensationalise or romanticise suicide as a solution
• Reduce the risk of copycat suicides by not including information that could be imitated by others
• Avoid reporting details that could be harmful to people who are vulnerable, for example mentioning suicide method or location
• Avoid speculating about what event or person may have triggered the suicide. Suicide is complex and rarely the result of one reason.
• Avoid excessive and prominent coverage

Challenge stigma and change perceptions

• Normalise conversations about suicide through regular discussion about mental health, suicide and known suicide risk factors
• Make sure the language used is compassionate and doesn’t reinforce stigma (see suicide and language)
• Promote and champion suicide prevention initiatives
• Help dispel myths and inform audiences about the complexities of suicide

​​​Be compassionate and think about those who have been affected by suicide

• The impact of suicide often extends to the wider community
• Make sure reporting of suicide is factual but sensitive 
• Include signposting support for people who may be affected by news content that relates to suicide – including bereavement support

Foster hope

• Encourage help seeking behaviours by share ways of coping, of overcoming challenges, and information about support and resources that are available
• Share stories that highlight people who have come through crisis, adversity or challenging life situations to show that recovery is possible and there is hope
• Highlight that asking for help can make a difference.