Reporting on Suicide www.ZeroAttempts.org ZERO ATTEMPTS One Million & Counting when IN CRISIS cALL 800-273-8255 or text "sos" to 741741 Top 10 Tips for Reporting on Suicide On line media Suggestions for Online Media, Message Boards, Bloggers, & Citizen Journalists Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide Briefing for the Press on How to Report on Suicide Suicide Reporting Guidelines (18 page PDF) National Recommendations for Depicting Suicide Best Practices and Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide (2 page PDF) 7 Mental Health Campaigns that Made a Difference On line media The Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide also apply to online content including citizen-generated media coverage, social media sites, blogs, and online content from traditional media organization’s websites. In fact, following the recommendations for online content is just as important since online articles, blogs, photos, and videos can be shared instantly with millions of people around the world. And we know from research that extensive media coverage of a suicide increases risk for contagion. Here are some additional tips for online media 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 the risk of suicide. Think about reporting on suicide as a health issue, not just in response to a recent death. For example, you can report about: Effective suicide prevention programs New research on suicide prevention or mental illness Advocates working to reduce suicide Individual stories of people who have overcome suicidal ideations Stories on families bereaved by suicide loss who are helping others cope or working to prevent suicide in their community New treatments for depression or other mental illnesses that can lead to suicide Steps local/federal government agencies are taking to prevent suicide Remember that most online stories also allow for public commentary. Websites and bloggers should develop policies and procedures for safe message board comments and monitor them 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. Traditional media journalists who also blog, either for their news organization or as an individual, should follow the media recommendations and be consistent. Try not to be sensational in your online coverage just because there is more space or less oversight. Source: reportingonsuicide.org/onlinemedia/ Suggestions for Online Media, Message Boards, Bloggers, & Citizen Journalists Bloggers, citizen journalists, and public commentators can help reduce risk of contagion with posts or links to treatment services, warning signs, and suicide hotlines. Include stories of hope and recovery, information on how to overcome suicidal thinking and increase coping skills. The potential for online reports, photos/videos, and stories to go viral makes it vital that online coverage of suicide follow site or industry safety recommendations. Social networking sites often become memorials to the deceased and should be monitored for hurtful comments and for statements that others are considering suicide. Message board guidelines, policies, and procedures could support removal of inappropriate and/or insensitive posts. Source: reportingonsuicide.org/recommendations/#suggestions   ©2017-2023, www.ZeroAttempts.org/reporting-on-suicide.html