Feb 26

Written by: admin
26/02/2009 5:01 AM

COMMUNIQUÉ

Responsible Suicide Reporting Saves Lives:
Psychiatrists Issue Policy Paper on Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide

(Ottawa, February 5, 2009) Media coverage of suicide is proven to lead to copycat suicides. But when journalists are educated about copycat suicide, they modify their reporting and reduce the likelihood of copycat suicide due to media coverage, says a newly released Policy Paper on Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide. The release of this paper by the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) coincides with Quebec’s Suicide Prevention Week.

“Reporting on suicide can’t be banned but it can be responsible. We urge all journalists to become better acquainted with the expert guidelines. Specifically we suggest Canadian journalists implement the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention and the Center for Disease Control guidelines on reporting. The evidence is
convincing that some simple precautions will save lives,” says Dr. Susan Abbey, CPA President.

“Although these guidelines exist, most journalists are unaware that reporting suicide can cause copycat suicides. These guidelines need to be taken up widely, not just by the individual journalist, but by media organizations and need to be taught in journalism schools,” says Dr. Jitender Sareen, author on the paper. The paper also suggests that there may be a role for policymakers in monitoring the media to reinforce the guidelines where necessary.

How suicide is reported can either promote or prevent copycat suicide. Journalists should avoid exciting reporting, repetitive or excessive coverage, front page coverage, giving details of the method, using the word “suicide” in the headline, expressing admiration of the deceased or approval of the suicide, offering romanticized or simplistic reasons for suicide, or referring to suicide as inexplicable. Photos of the deceased are also to be avoided.
Coverage should include alternatives to suicide such as treatment, community resource information for those thinking about suicide, examples of a positive outcome of a suicidal crisis like calling a suicide hotline, the warning signs of suicidal behaviour and how to approach a suicidal person.

Read more about the evidence behind copycat suicides and suicide reporting in the CPA Policy Paper on Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide at:
http://publications.cpa-apc.org/media.php?mid=733&xwm=true

The following media guidelines for reporting suicide are available on the internet from:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00031539.htm

The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention:
http://casp-acps.ca/Publications/MEDIA%20GUIDELINES.doc

The Canadian Psychiatric Association is the national voice for Canada’s 4,100 psychiatrists and more than 600 psychiatric residents. Founded in 1951, the CPA is dedicated to promoting an environment that fosters excellence in the provision of clinical care, education and research.

Information:
Ms. Hélène Côté, Communications Officer Tel: (613) 234-2815 ext. 232 or E-mail: hcote@cpa-apc.org

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