Safe Reporting On Suicide

Covering suicide is never easy. Research has proven that improper reporting on suicide can contribute to additional suicides and suicide attempts. To help journalists safely cover this topic, more than 20 media and suicide prevention organizations developed "Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide." Download the PDF or read more on www.reportingonsuicide.org The top recommendations are below.

Important Points When Covering Suicide

• Always include a referral phone number and information about local crisis intervention services. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free number, 1-800-273-TALK (273-8255), which is available 24/7, can be used anywhere in the United States, and connects the caller to a certified crisis center near where the call is placed. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
• Avoid big headlines such as Kurt Cobain Used Shotgun to Commit Suicide. Instead, inform the audience without sensationalizing the suicide and minimize prominence, e.g. Kurt Cobain Dead at 27.
• Don’t include photos or videos of the location or methods of the death, grieving family, friends, memorials, or funerals.
• Report on suicide as a public health issue, not a crime.
• Do not quote the suicide note in the article.
• Instead of describing the rate of recent suicides as an “epidemic,” or “skyrocketing,” carefully investigate the most recent Center for Disease Control data and use non-sensational words like “rise” or “higher.”
• Most, but not all, people who die by suicide exhibit warning signs. Refrain from describing a suicide as “inexplicable” or “without warning.”
• Avoid quoting police or other first responders about the causes of suicide. Instead, seek advice from suicide prevention experts such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
• Do not refer to suicide as “successful,” “unsuccessful,” or a “failed attempt.” Use phrases and words, “died by suicide,” “completed suicide,” or “killed him/herself.”
• In online coverage, include hyperlinks to resources, such as suicide warnings and risk factors, or to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help inform readers and reduce risk of contagion.
• Websites and bloggers should develop policies and procedures for safe message board comments and monitor for hurtful messages or comments from posters who may be in crisis. It might be helpful for webmasters, bloggers or message board moderators to post the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline information in the first comment box in any story about suicide.

Sample Messages for Suicidal Users on Social Media Sites

From time to time you may encounter a person who expressing thoughts of suicide on your social media profiles such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, MySpace, etc. When possible, the best approach is to post a visible message for the user encouraging them to call the Lifeline. If the message was posted on Facebook, you may also flag the content as suicidal. To learn how to flag a comment on Facebook, click here.