The media and suicide.
Suicide is a common and preventable event that is often reported by the media when there are sensationalistic elements or if the suicide involves a celebrity. Media reports of suicide can induce a copycat or "Werther effect". There is increasing evidence that sensationalistic reporting of suicides has a direct effect on increasing suicide rates. Responsible reporting guidelines drawn up in consultation with media professionals have been shown to improve reporting of suicides. Local reporting on suicides tends to be sensationalistic but also has a strong educational slant. The media should educate both the public and the medical professional about their role in suicide prevention.
Tor
Phern Chern
PC
Department of Psychiatry, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. torphernchern@gmail.com
Ng
Beng Yeong
BY
Ang
Yong Guan
YG
D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008402:Mass Media / Q000592:standards*; D012846:Singapore; D000092864:Suicide Prevention