In this age of social media, few things remain secret for long. Moreover, humans have a predilection for gossip that often results in misleading and factually incorrect information being disseminated rapidly, widely, and indiscriminately. People have a responsibility to verify the accuracy of anything they tweet, post, or blog about before doing it. They also have a responsibility to consider the effect of their words on others.
In this regard, everyone would do well to follow the recommendations of the American Association of Suicidology to mainstream media when reporting on suicides:
Avoid sensationalistic headlines or subject lines.
Avoid using graphic photos or videos.
Avoid explicit descriptions of how someone died.
Avoid simplistic explanations for the death.
Instead of the headline, “Kurt Cobain Kills Himself with Shotgun,” for instance, news reports can say “Kurt Cobain Dead at Age 27.” Instead of photographing or filming where the death occurred, which only serves to draw people to the scene, the media can show the outside of a school or business where the person attended classes or worked, but not where he or she died. Instead of images of grieving family members, which can be a source of revenge for individuals who haven’t had good relations with parents or siblings, the media can use a yearbook, work, or family photo of the deceased. Instead of filming a well-attended memorial service, which can glorify the death in such a way as to cause others to imagine a similar outpouring of affection at their own death, the media can focus on close-ups of the printed program, a minister speaking, and floral arrangements while featuring a local crisis line number or the number 988. Choosing pictures with less emotional impact is contrary to the way the media operates, but is critical when covering suicide.
Also important is the way that the death is talked about. Instead of saying that someone’s suicide is inexplicable, impulsive, or happened without any previous indication of intent, media stories should include warning signs of suicide and information on what to do if someone you know exhibits these signs. Instead of reporting that someone’s suicide was preceded by a single event such as the recent loss of a job, the breakup of a marriage or relationship, or a failed test, reports should say that suicidal behavior is complex and usually is the result of multiple causes, including psychiatric illnesses that may not have been recognized or treated.
Too often, reporters cover a suicide the same way they cover a crime with a who, what, when, where, how, why mentality. Suicide isn’t a crime, however. It’s a public health issue and should be covered that way, with background information on trends, rates, treatment options, and resources. Equally important, a person’s suicide can be balanced with stories of hope and recovery in which suicidal thinking is overcome, and skills to cope with adversity are increased. This way, individuals and the media don’t unintentionally promote self-destructive behavior by contributing to suicide contagion but rather encourage people who are contemplating suicide to seek help.
At one time, the Annenberg Public Policy Center analyzed the coverage of suicides in nine major newspapers over a period of 12 months, plus three years’ worth of articles in the New York Times. Seven of the nine newspapers made a point of using the word suicide in at least half their headlines, sometimes in a sensational fashion. One headline in the New York Times was “Eighth-Grade Sweethearts in a Love Suicide.” In many of the Times’ articles, the Annenberg Center found, the method of suicide was mentioned in the headline, yet only 8 percent of the articles cited depression as a possible factor in the person’s death. Some of the journalists who were contacted by the center didn’t know that certain types of news coverage can lead to imitative behavior, and none were aware that experts in the field had developed media guidelines for reporting on suicide.[1] That is changing—slowly—although it’s still common for media reports to use the phrase “committed suicide.” Since the general public often takes its cue from the media, this stigmatizing terminology needs to end.
If you or someone you love is contemplating suicide, seek help immediately. For help 24/7 dial 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.