The media can play a powerful role in educating the public about suicide prevention. Stories about suicide can inform readers and viewers and highlight opportunities to prevent suicide, but they also have the potential to do harm. Implementation of recommendations for media coverage of suicide has been shown to decrease suicide rates.

Source: American Association of Suicidology

Reporting on Suicide, Recommendations for the Media

• Suicide.org Media Guidelines for Suicide Reporting
• National Institute of Mental Health Recommendations for the Media
• Canadian Mental Health Association Media Influences on Suicide
• The Irish Association of Suicidology (IAS) Samaritans
• IAS Media Guidelines for the Portrayal of Suicide
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) at a Glance: Safe Reporting on Suicide
• Examples of Good and Problematic Suicide Reporting
• Columbia University TeenScreen Program