Media reporting of youth suicide: What has happened to responsible reporting?

Once again the issue of media reporting of youth suicide has raised its head. Upsetting reports of a B.C. teenager’s suicide have flourished throughout the media. Details regarding the persons actions, method of suicide and other intense details have been revealed and given this teen a prolific profile in the media. The death has certainly taken the country by storm and opened public’s eyes to bullying and teenage suicide. But, some worry that these reports and continuous updates will affect youth in similar situations and could result in copy-cats.

Over the past week, I had the opportunity to touch on this subject where I discussed ways the media can report these tragedies responsibly and provide the public with useful information. Click here to view an article from the Chronicle Herald.

These sensational reports of youth suicide seem to be increasing throughout Canadian media. Evidence shows that this type of reporting is linked to increased rates of suicide, especially in young people. Some research data shows that there is a “dose response curve” with suicide rates increasing proportionally to the amount of media exposure. On the opposite side of the spectrum, data shows responsible reporting of suicide is associated with decreased rates of suicide in young people.  So why are vulnerable young people being exposed to sensational media stories about suicide? 

A study conducted in the USA found that many reporters were not aware of the degree of negative impact that sensationalized reporting of suicide had on young people.  However, it also showed that many of those did know or did not believe that to be the case.  Personal bias (or maybe some other factors) trumped the data.  I frankly, do not know which is worse, not knowing or knowing and not caring.

Responsible reporting includes, but is not limited to:

• Do not explain suicide stories, undue prominence and avoiding sensational headlines
• Do not provide details of the method
• Give a balanced description of the victim (do not create a model for those considering the same act)
• Do not publish photos of the deceased
• Do not romanticize or provide simplistic explanations (such as bullying being the causation of suicide)
• Provide information about depression and substance abuse - as important factors in youth suicide
• Provide information on where to get help and examples of positive outcomes for young people in similar circumstances 

Is following these guidelines too much to ask?

Teens are known to be substantially impacted by media. Youth who are struggling with suicide intent may be particularly vulnerable. Most young people who are planning to take their own life are not certain that they want to go through with the act.  So, what can tip the balance towards choosing life or death? There are many causes of suicide. Media influences are one of the tipping points, which could push the young person in one way or another.

I am not saying that the media should never report on suicide, just that the reporting needs to be done responsibly.  Most suicides never get reported, meaning there is a choice the media is exercising regarding on what suicides they will report and how they will report them. 

Can they not exercise this choice in a way that does not cause harm to vulnerable people?  The media does not have to compromise their right to let the public know about important issues and events, but they need to know that the matter, in which they choose, can be part of the solution or part of the problem.

I have heard some argue that the public’s right to know, trumps all.  This may or may not be the case all the time. Frankly, I wonder if those who make this argument have other factors at play. I have noticed how commonly people can wrap themselves in the cloak of public interest to cover up their self-interest. It is important to have this conversation, but can we not have it in a positive and constructive manner? When it comes to reporting on suicide, the media has the power to provide useful information and hope, instead of a recipe for death.

-Stan

Below are some resources and associations who have worked to underscore scientific evidence on the negative impact of sensational reporting of suicide to urge the media to report on these issues responsibly.

• Canadian Psychiatric Association
• World Head Organization
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Media Contagion and Suicide Among Young People 
• Media contagion and Suicide Among the Youth, American Behavioral Scientist, May 2003, vol. 46, no. 9, 1269-1284
• American Association to Suicidology
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Annenberg Public Policy Center
• Office of Surgeon General of the USA
• Centers for Disease Control
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration