Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide

RESPONSIBLE MEDIA REPORTING.

Important Points for Covering Suicide
More than 50 research studies worldwide have found that certain types of news coverage can increase the likelihood of suicide in vulnerable individuals. The magnitude of the increase is related to the amount, duration, and prominence of coverage.

Risk of additional suicides increases when the story explicitly describes the suicide method, uses dramatic/graphic headlines or images, and repeated/extensive coverage sensationalizes or glamorizes a death. ​Suicide Contagion, or"Copycat Suicide," occurs when one or more suicides are reported in a way that contributes to another suicide.

Covering suicide carefully, even briefly, can change public misperceptions and correct myths, which can encourage those who are vulnerable or at risk to seek help.

Do’s and Don'ts

Instead of This

• Big or sensationalistic headlines, or prominent placement (e.g., “Kurt Cobain Used Shotgun to Commit Suicide”).

Do This

• Inform the audience without sensationalizing the suicide and minimize prominence (e.g., “Kurt Cobain Dead at 27”).

Instead of This

• Including photos/videos of the location or method of death, grieving family, friends, memorials, or funerals.

Do This

• Use school/work or family photo; include hotline logo or local crisis phone numbers.

Instead of This

• Describing recent suicides as an "epidemic," "skyrocketing," or other strong terms

Do This

• Carefully investigate the most recent CDC data and use nonsensational words like '"rise" or "higher"

Instead of This

• Describing a suicide as inexplicable or “without warning.”

Do This

• Most, but not all, people who die by suicide exhibit warning signs. Include the “Warning Signs” and “What to Do” sidebar in your article if possible.

Instead of This

• “John Doe left a suicide note saying…”

Do This

• “A note from the deceased was found and is being reviewed by the medical examiner.”

Instead of This

• Investigating and reporting on suicide similarly to reporting on crimes.

Do This

• Report on suicide as a public health issue.

Instead of This

• Quoting/interviewing police or first responders about the causes of suicide.

Do This

• Seek advice from suicide prevention experts.

Instead of This

• Referring to suicide as “successful,” “unsuccessful,” or a “failed attempt.”

Do This

• Describe as “died by suicide,” “completed,” or “killed him/herself.”