mediaguidelinesfor reporting suicide and self-harm

ContentsIntroduction 3

Suicide: The facts 4

Media myths 5

Copycat suicides and media reporting 6

Social contagion 7

How the media can help 8

Samaritans’ work with the 12Press Complaints Commission

New media and suicide 13

Working with bereaved individuals, 15families and communities

How Samaritans can help 16

Useful resources 17

References 19

2

“These guidelines provide a

valuable resource for those in the

media who have any involvement

with the reporting or portrayal

of suicide and represent an

important source of information

to help ensure that the quality

of reporting and portrayal on

this important and sensitive

topic is of a high standard.”

Professor Keith Hawton, Director, Centrefor Suicide Research, University of Oxford.

Introduction: Jeremy Paxman

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Jeremy Paxman

Reporting ofsuicide and self-harm is clearlya difficult area.Journalists areunder pressureto file reportswhich are ofthe moment andin the publicinterest but

there remains the responsibility not toglamorise the story or intrude on thegrief and shock of those affected.

Media strongly influences attitudes,beliefs and behaviour and plays animportant role in politics, economicsand social practice so it can also playa vital role in preventing suicide.

With nearly 6,000 suicides every yearin the UK and Ireland, suicide is asubject that will continue to attractextensive media attention by natureof the fact that an individual hasdeliberately chosen to end their own life.

Positive outcomes of suicide reportinginclude bringing a subject that remainssomewhat taboo into the public arena,helping to de-mystify it and challengingthe stigma that still surrounds peoplewillingly taking their own lives. However,inappropriate reporting or depiction canlead to ‘copycat suicides’, particularlyamongst younger more vulnerableaudiences. Reporting details that canseem inconsequential and merelyfactual to some audiences can have aprofoundly negative effect on others whomight be more emotionally vulnerable.

Samaritans has over 50 years ofexperience of listening to people incrisis and working in partnership withthe media to promote positive reportingabout mental health and suicide.The charity receives daily enquiriesfrom journalists concerned abouthow to depict suicide, what imagesare appropriate for use and how theyshould interview individuals who areeither bereaved or at risk of suicide.

Samaritans’ guidelines aim to providejournalists in all areas of media with theinformation they need to cover a suicideor self-harm incident; including whichterminology to use, how to dispel mythsabout suicide and how to sensitively talkto bereaved families and friends, withan up-to-date section that focuses onnew media.

They are not exhaustive and don’t seekto impose on the freedom of the media,but they do aim to help journalistsresolve personal and professionalreporting dilemmas and de-stigmatisesuicide and self-harm to improve betterpublic understanding of the complexityof the issues involved. I hope you findthem useful.

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• On average, there is one death from suicideevery 90 minutes across the UK and Ireland.

• In 2006 there were just under 6,000 deathsby suicide across the UK and Republic ofIreland. Samaritans’ website has suicidefigures which are updated annually.

• Every year there are about 24,000 casesof attempted suicide by young people aged10-19 years in England and Wales alone.This is one attempt every 20 minutes.

• In the UK, for people aged 15-24, suicideis the second biggest cause of deathafter road accidents.

• Northern Ireland has the highestsuicide rate (21 per 100,000population over 14 years of age).

• The trend in suicide rates isdownward in all countries exceptWales and Northern Ireland wheresuicide rates are on the increase.

• Suicide is three times more commonamongst men (17 per 100,000population over 14 years of age)than women (5 per 100,000population over 14 years of age.

Suicide: the facts1

Country Number of deathsRate per 100,000

over 14 years of ageEngland 4191 10

Wales 300 12

Scotland 765 18

Northern Ireland 291 21

Republic of Ireland 409 12

UK total 5576 11

UK and ROI total 5985 9

Number of deaths by suicide in 2006:

Suicide trends over 10 years (1997-2006):• 7.5% decrease in the UK and Republic of Ireland• 14.5% decrease in the Republic of Ireland• 111% increase in Northern Ireland• 12.5% decrease in Scotland

• 7% decrease in the UK• 10% decrease in England• 1% increase in Wales

MYTH: You have to be mentally ill tothink about suicide.

FACT: Most people have thought of suicidefrom time to time and not all people who dieby suicide have mental health problems at thetime of death. The majority of people who killthemselves do have such problems, typicallyto a serious degree and often undiagnosed,but feelings of desperation and hopelessnessare more accurate predictors of suicide.

MYTH: People who talk about suicidearen’t really serious and are not likelyto actually kill themselves.

FACT: People who kill themselves have often toldsomeone that they do not feel life is worth livingor that they have no future. Some may haveactually said they want to die. People may talkabout suicide as a way of getting the attentionthey need, but it is very important that everyonewho says they feel suicidal is treated seriously.

MYTH: Once a person has made aserious suicide attempt, that personis unlikely to make another.

FACT: Those who have attempted suicideonce are 100 times more likely than thegeneral population to do so again. Aroundfour out of ten people who die by suicidewill have attempted suicide previously2.

MYTH: If a person is serious about killingthemselves then there is nothing you can do.

FACT: Feeling suicidal is often a temporarystate of mind. Whilst someone may feel low ordistressed for a sustained period the actualsuicidal crisis can be relatively short term.Offering appropriate and timely help andemotional support to people who areexperiencing deep unhappiness and distresscan reduce the risk of them dying by suicide.

MYTH: Talking about suicide is a bad ideaas it may give someone the idea to try it.FACT: When someone feels suicidal theyoften do not want to worry or frighten othersand so do not talk about the way they feel.By asking directly about suicide you give thempermission to tell you how they feel. Peoplewho have been through such a crisis will oftensay that it was a huge relief to be able to talkabout their suicidal thoughts. Once someonestarts talking and exploring their feelings andworst fears they have a greater chance ofdiscovering options other than suicide.

MYTH: Most suicides happen in thewinter months.FACT: Suicide is more common in the springand summer months.

MYTH: People who threaten suicide arejust seeking attention and shouldn’t betaken seriously.FACT: People may well talk about their feelingsbecause they want support in dealing withthem. The response of those close to a personwho has attempted suicide can be importantto their recovery and giving them the attentionthey need may save their life. An attemptedsuicide should always be taken seriously.

MYTH: People who are suicidal want to die.FACT: The majority of people who feel suicidaldo not actually want to die but they do not wantto live the life they have. Offering emotionalsupport and talking through other options canhelp people come through a suicidal crisisand make the difference between themchoosing to live and deciding to die.

MYTH: Women are more likely to kill themselves.FACT: More women say they haveconsidered suicide but far more menthan women die by suicide every year.

Media myths

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Suicide is a valid subject for discussion butcertain types of suicide reporting areparticularly harmful and can act as a catalyst toinfluence the behaviour of people who arealready vulnerable.

Over 60 research articles have looked at theissue of media reporting of suicide and foundthat it can lead to imitative behaviours3.

• An episode of a popular TV drama contained astoryline about a deliberate self-poisoning withparacetamol. Researchers interviewed patientswho attended accident and emergencydepartments and psychiatric services and foundthat 20% said the programme had influencedtheir decision to take an overdose. Self-poisoningincreased by 17% in the week following thebroadcast and by 9% in the second week4.

• A newspaper report in Hong Kong includeda detailed description of a person who diedby suicide involving the method of burningcharcoal in a confined space. Within threeyears there was a dramatic increase insuicides using this method, with the numberof deaths rising from 0% to 10%5.

• There has been an increase in the number ofintentional antifreeze poisonings reported tothe British National Poisons InformationService on two separate occasions, both ofwhich followed reports on this method in thenational media. The expected rate of self-poisoning by this method is between one andthree per month. After the report of an inquestinto a suicide using this method appeared inthe national media, this rose to six cases in

Copycat suicides and media reportingone month and on a separate occasionwhen the method was portrayed in apopular hospital drama, the rate for thatmonth leapt to nine6.

• A German television series, ‘Death ofa student’, depicted the railway suicide ofa young man at the start of each episode.A 175% rise in railway suicides occurredin young people aged 15-19 years oldboth during and after the series7. Thiseffect was repeated when the serieswas shown again some years later.

Positive examples

• Studies in Vienna and Toronto found thatvoluntary restrictions on newspaperreporting of subway suicides resulted in a75% decrease in suicides by this method.

• A study following the death of singer KurtCobain by suicide found that there wasnot an overall increase in suicides ratesin his home town of Seattle, believed tobe because reporting differentiatedstrongly between the brilliance of his lifeachievements and the wastefulness ofhis death. It may have also helped thatmedia coverage discussed risk factorsand identified sources of help for peopleexperiencing suicidal feelings.

Summary

Research suggests that media portrayal caninfluence suicidal behaviour and this mayresult in an overall increase in suicide and/oran increase in uses of particular methods.

“Perhaps the most important guiding principle for all journalists reportingsuicide is to consider the vulnerable reader who might be in crisis when theysee the story. We need to ask ourselves whether our coverage will make itmore likely that they will attempt to take their lives or more likely that they willseek help. These excellent guidelines can help us make the right decisions.”

Stephen Pritchard, Readers’ Editor, The Observer, President of the Organisation of News Ombudsmen

People bereaved by suicide are themselvesat increased risk of suicide or self-harm10,11,12.This may be because of the inherent distressassociated with bereavement. It is alsogenerally recognised that one suicide maylead to several others in a limited time spanand geographic area13,14.

The effect, known as ‘clustering’ of suicides,refers to a number of completed or attemptedsuicides which occur closer togetherchronologically and geographically than wouldbe expected statistically for the community inquestion. This appears to particularly affectyoung and vulnerable people15,16.

Social contagion

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One factor which may lead to suicide‘clustering’ is a phenomenon known as‘social contagion’. This is the conceptthat a combination of grief, over-identification and fixation on suicideleads to an increase in suicidalbehaviour amongst a group of peoplewho have been exposed to a suicide.

The media plays an important part insocial contagion as it is a means oftransmitting or moderating the informationwhich may lead to contagion.

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A fine line remains between sensitive,intelligent reporting and sensationalising theissue. Positive effects of reporting suicide andself-harm incidents in a sensitive way include:

• Raising awareness of the complexity ofthe issues surrounding suicide, factorsthat contribute to the problem andchallenging the stigma associated withemotional and mental health issues.

• Bringing discussion of suicide into thepublic arena to challenge the idea of itas a taboo subject.

• Calling for better resources to tacklemental health problems.

• Disseminating support services contactinformation to encourage people at riskto seek help at an earlier stage.

• Offering advice for both people at riskand also worried families and friends.

• Promoting the message that suicide isa preventable phenomenon given theright support.

How the media can helpRecommendationson phraseologyUse phrases like

• A suicide.

• Die by suicide.

• Take one’s own life.

• A suicide attempt.

• A completed suicide.

• Person at risk of suicide.

• Help prevent suicide.

Avoid phrases like

• A successful suicide attempt.

• An unsuccessful suicide attempt.

• Commit suicide (Suicide is now decriminalised soit is better not to talk about ‘committing suicide’but use ‘take one's life’, or ‘die by suicide’ instead)

• Suicide victim.

• Just a cry for help.

• Suicide-prone person.

• Stop the spread/epidemic of suicide.

• Suicide ‘tourist’.

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Reporting tipsAvoid explicit or technical detailsof suicide in reports.Providing details of the mechanism andprocedure used to carry out a suicide maylead to the imitation of suicidal behaviour byother people at risk. For example, referencecan be given to an overdose but not referenceto the specific type and number of tabletsused. Similarly, saying someone hangedthemselves is better than saying they hangedthemselves using their own school shirt fromtheir bedroom door. Particular care should betaken in specifying the type and number oftablets used in an overdose and material/ormethod used in hanging and ligatures.

In retrospective reporting or reconstructions,actual depiction of means should beavoided, for example showing the drawingof blood in self-harm. Use of a long shotor a cutaway is better.

Avoid simplistic explanations for suicide.Although a catalyst may appear to beobvious, suicide is never the result of a singlefactor or event and is likely to have severalinter-related causes. Accounts which try toexplain a suicide on the basis of a singleincident, for example unrequited romanticfeelings, should be challenged. Whererelevant, news features could be used toprovide more detailed analysis of thereasons behind the rise in suicides.

Avoid brushing over the realities of a suicide.Depiction of suicide in a TV programmemay be damaging if it shows a characterwho has attempted suicide as immediatelyrecovered or if it glosses over the grimreality of suicide. For example, failing toshow slow liver failure following aparacetamol overdose.

Avoid disclosing the contents of anysuicide note.This information may sensationalise orromanticise the suicide. It may also provideinformation which encourages other peopleto identify with the deceased.

Discourage the use of permanentmemorials.An outpouring of grief and expressions ofregret may send unhelpful messages to otherdistressed and potentially suicidal people.

Avoid labelling places as suicide ‘hotspots’.Advertising such locations provides detailabout methods of suicide and may play apart in drawing more people to that location.

Don't overemphasise the ‘positive’results of a person's suicide.A dangerous message from the mediais that suicide achieves results; it makespeople sorry or it makes people eulogiseyou. For instance, a soap opera storylineor newspaper coverage where a child'ssuicide or suicide attempt seems to resultin separated parents reconciling or schoolbullies being publicly shamed may offeran appealing option to a despairing childin similar circumstances.

Encourage public understanding ofthe complexity of suicide.People don’t decide to take their own lifein response to a single event, howeverpainful that event may be, and socialconditions alone cannot explain suicideeither. The reasons an individual takestheir own life are manifold, and suicideshould not be portrayed as the inevitableoutcome of serious personal problems.Discussing the risk factors encouragesa better understanding of suicide aspart of a much wider issue andchallenge for society.

Expose the common myths about suicide.There is an opportunity to educate the publicby challenging these (see page 5).

Consider the timing.The coincidental deaths by suicide oftwo or more people make the story moretopical and newsworthy, but additionalcare is required in the reporting of‘another suicide, just days after…’,which might imply a connection.

Don’t romanticise suicide or make eventssurrounding it sound melodramatic.

Wanting your readers and audience toidentify with the person that has died or theevent is natural but reporting which overlyhighlights community expressions of griefmay suggest the local community ishonouring the suicidal behaviour of thedeceased person, rather than mourningtheir death. Reporting suicide as a tragicwaste and an avoidable loss is morebeneficial in preventing further deaths.

Include details of further sourcesof information and advice.Listing appropriate sources of local andnational help or support at the end of anarticle or a programme shows the personwho might be feeling suicidal that theyare not alone and that they have theopportunity to make positive choices.

Samaritans is available for anyone in any typeof distress on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Irelandor by email at jo@samaritans.org. Thecharity receives calls about loneliness andisolation, relationship and family problems,bereavement, financial worries, job relatedstress, redundancy, bullying and exam stressas well as calls from people feeling suicidal.

Samaritans’ Press Office can offer adviceabout depiction and can help put you incontact with acknowledged experts on suicide:+44 (0)20 8394 8300 during work hours or+44 (0)7943 809 162 out of work hours.

Remember the effect on survivorsof suicide – either those who haveattempted it or who have been bereaved.

It might be helpful to be able to offerinterviewees some form of support such asinformation about Samaritans, or for those whoare bereaved by suicide, information aboutThe Compassionate Friends, Cruse or SOBS.

Look after yourself.Reporting suicide can be very distressingin itself, especially if the subject touchessomething in your own experience. Talk it overwith colleagues, friends, family or Samaritans.

Photo selection and placement

Photographs and footage of thescene, location and method ofsuicide can lead to imitative actionby people who are vulnerable.

• Avoid the use of dramaticphotographs or images relatedto the suicide. For examplephotographs of people standingon ledges about to jump orpeople falling to their deaths.

• Exercise caution in reportingsuicide locations. Giving detailsof locations used for suicide mayresult in these places becoming‘popular’ for suicide attempts.

• Consider placement of photos,front page should be avoidedwhere possible to guard againstover dramatising.

• Avoid reprinting photographsof the deceased on anniversariesor at the time of others’ deaths,where possible, as this can havea detrimental effect on the griefof family and friends.

“Samaritans’ mediaguidelines have alwaysproved an importantreference tool when we’veneeded help on certainstorylines. We feel theirassistance has alwaysenhanced what we portrayon screen in a realisticand sensitive manner.”

Bryan Kirkwood, Hollyoaks Producer

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Dramatic portrayalof suicideThe characterThe choice of character is a key factorin influencing suicidal behaviour. If theviewer or listener feels they can identifywith a suicidal character, then thelikelihood of imitative behaviour isincreased. This is particularly the case ifthe character concerned is young andsympathetic. Young people are at greaterrisk of suicide and research shows thatthey are the most likely group to beinfluenced by media representation.

Means of deathAn easily obtainable means of death iseasy to imitate, for example taking pillsor jumping from a high place. Means ofdeath where there is no easy form ofintervention should also be avoided, asshould the precise depiction of method.For example, showing how a hose pipeis attached to an exhaust and sealed upwindows. Any detailed description ofsuicide method is potentially harmful.

Follow-upHow do the character and those around themchange after the suicide or suicide attempt?It is dangerous if the character is eulogisedand if the situation they were finding difficulthas been positively affected, such as a familybeing re-united or a bullying campaign finallybrought to a close with the message that,‘Everyone's sorry now.’ Are feelings talkedthrough and are other characters listened to?

Time of transmissionThe time of day or time of year of transmissioncan have a profound effect and should be takeninto account where possible. Christmas andValentine’s Day, for example, may be particularlypoignant times. Also consider whether thereis help at hand. For the vulnerable, publicholidays, weekends and late at night can beparticularly lonely times. Samaritans’ phonelines are busiest between 9pm and 4am.

Helpline supportPlease consider a back announcement promotingan available helpline. Samaritans is available 24hours a day on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland.

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Samaritans’ work with thePress Complaints Commission

Samaritans made a submission to the PCC in January 2006 to ask for a new sub-clause to be introduced into the Editor’s Code that would specifically addressfactual reporting and representation of suicide, following distressing mediacoverage which Samaritans felt could encourage copycat suicides.

The PCC added a new sub-clause to its Clause 5: Intrusion into Grief and Shockprovisions, which now reads:

5i: In cases involving grief or shock, enquiries must be carried outand approaches made with sympathy and discretion. Publicationmust be handled sensitively at such times, but this should not beinterpreted as restricting the right to reporting judicial proceedings.

5ii: When reporting suicide, care should be taken to avoidexcessive detail about the method used

18.

The PCC upheld a complaint against a regional evening newspaper in October 2007after it published an article describing in detail the method a depressed teacher usedto electrocute himself.

For more information about the Press Complaints Commission’s code of practicelog on to www.pcc.org.uk.

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The internet has brought additionalopportunities and challenges for journalistsdue to the speed and ease of accessingand publishing information. Points of viewcan now be presented more quickly andeasily but sometimes without review orfactual basis. It can be difficult for somereaders to understand the distinctionbetween what is fact and what is opinion.

If you are posting your story onto a newswebsite or blog please consider thefollowing points:

General tips

• Avoid linking to, or mentioning, thenames of websites that encourage orglamorise suicide, except those thatpromote positive alternatives andsupport services. Helpful websitesoffering support are listed atwww.samaritans.org/links.

• Try to exercise care and judgement in thecreation of news stories that will appearonline, as they can often be surroundedby adverts and commentary that are

outside the control of the author.Additional features on the page cancreate a negative context, allowing, forexample, adverts promoting depressionaids to appear alongside articles onmental health.

• Add hyperlinks to sources of supportto ensure that people in distress canaccess useful resources quickly. Considerpromoting www.samaritans.org withinthe UK and Ireland or our worldwideequivalent, www.befrienders.org beyondthese regions.

Reader feedback

• The ability to comment on articlesor blog posts gives readers theopportunity to glamorise suicide orpresent controversial opinions aboutsuicidal tendencies and mental health.The relative anonymity of thesecomments can encourage debatesthat are inappropriate for a newswebsite, and potentially damagingto other readers.

• Responsible websites ensure that theterms and conditions each commentatoragrees to when contributing online areexplicit in what constitutes inappropriatematerial, and how it will be dealt with.In addition, site owners and moderatorsshould understand the implications ofallowing these comments to bepublished on their website.

• Wherever possible, attempt to educateyour audience to understand how to usethe feedback section with full considerationof everyone’s health, safety and wellbeing,and the right of the publisher to removeinappropriate content.

• Consider making it clear to users thatfeedback services are moderated,whether manually or electronically.

New media and suicide

“The PCC's rules on the

reporting of suicide have been

tightened in recent years –

largely thanks to representation

from Samaritans. The

Commission welcomes these

guidelines, which will help

journalists with the difficult task

of getting the balance right

when reporting suicide.”

William Gore, Assistant Director,Press Complaints Commission

Useful resources

Please consider placing a link toSamaritans’ website: www.samaritans.organd our support email address:jo@samaritans.org on your pagesin addition to our helpline numbers:08457 90 90 90 (UK) or1850 60 90 90 (Republic of Ireland).

Samaritans’ logos can be found atwww.samaritans.org. For otheronline promotional materials pleaseemail: webmaster@samaritans.org.

For guidance on monitoring websites /user-group discussions for potentiallyharmful content please email:webmaster@samaritans.org.

Search engines

Samaritans works closely with theInternet Service Providers Association(ISPA), Internet Services ProvidersAssociation of Ireland (ISPAI) and thesearch engine industry to implement‘safe-search’ protocols to effectivelypromote our support services abovepotentially harmful sites. This is basedon the dissemination by Samaritans ofa list of search keywords and phrasesused by individuals exploring suicide.Whenever an individual types in any ofthese words the search engine providerhas agreed to prioritise Samaritans’website as the first result on the page(and if possible on following pages).

If you are a search engine provideror contribute to a website usingembedded search engine resultsplease ensure it is running a systemwhich similarly promotes positive sitesabove potentially harmful ones.

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General tips

• Try to make it clear when you areinterviewing someone and how you intendto use their material.

• Bear in mind that people who have lostsomeone to suicide will often have troubleunderstanding what has happened. This initself can be very upsetting to the person.

• Consider that causes of suicide arealmost always multiple and complex.Do not seek to over simplify.

• Depictions of grieving friends andrelatives or funerals and memorials canbe unhelpful as they may contribute tothe danger of ‘copy cat’ suicides.

• Interviewing someone who has recentlyattempted suicide can be unhelpful asit may encourage other people to seekattention in this way.

• Bereaved families have told us that havingtheir loved one’s pictures, online profiles orother materials used against their wishescan be very distressing. Such use is notillegal but can add to distress.

During the interview

• Try not to suggest that you understandthe person’s situation because you haveexperienced the death of a relative or friend.Avoid using phrases such as:– ‘I know how you feel’ (unless you have

actually been bereaved by suicide)– ‘Time is a great healer’– ‘S/he is in a better place’.

• Try not to assume that you knowhow someone is going to be feelingbecause of the length of time since thebereavement. Despite the fact that thereare well established ‘models of grief’ thereality is that every case is different andexpecting a ‘certain stage’ may actuallyprevent you from really accepting wherethe person is at the time.

• Aim to avoid making any suggestionsthat the behaviour of relatives or friends

in some way contributed to the suicide.People bereaved in this way are often leftwith feelings of profound guilt and regret.

• It can be helpful to talk about grief buttry not to rush the person. Changingsubjects too quickly or not giving thema chance to say their piece can leavepeople feeling ‘used’.

• Be aware that a sudden bereavementcan lead to short-term memory issues.It may take the person a little while torecall events and, on occasion, it mighteven be helpful to let the person listenback to or read what they have saidthere and then. Issues of accuracy areoften what people are most upset aboutafter an interview has taken place.

• Be prepared for the person to be visiblyupset. Offer to stop the interview butaccept that they may wish to continuedespite their distress.

After the interview

• Consider whether it would beappropriate to check the material youuse with the person. Give them theopportunity to give feedback on howyou intend to use their input.

• If you are concerned about the welfareof someone you should enquire aboutwhat support they are receiving and,if necessary, make them aware of whatis available. Samaritans publishesmaterial on identifying and supportingpeople in distress and you may wishto refer to this.

• If you are worried about someoneplease remember that you canmake a referral to Samaritans.Call 08457 90 90 90 in the UKor 1850 60 90 90 in the Republicof Ireland and explain the situationto a volunteer who will be ableto initiate this.

Working with bereaved individuals,families and communities

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Samaritans’ Press Office is available24 hours a day for consultation on anymedia enquiry or sources of support:During working hours: +44 (0)20 8394 8300.Out of hours contact: +44 (0)7943 809162.

Samaritans provides confidential emotionalsupport to anyone in crisis, 24 hours a day,365 days a year. Trained volunteers listen,without judgement and without giving advice.

It is very difficult to tell if someone is suicidalor depressed, as people in crisis have uniquefeelings and react in different ways. But thereare some factors which can indicate suiciderisk as outlined in these guidelines.

If you are concerned about an individual,encourage them to seek help and talk tosomeone they trust and feel will listen –a friend, neighbour, family member, teacher,GP, a doctor or Samaritans.

If you’re worried about someone you'vebeen interviewing, trust your instinct –if you’re concerned, you’re probably right.Ask how the person is feeling and listen tothe answer. Let them talk. However, if youfeel out of your depth, you have deadlinesto meet and time doesn’t allow you to staywith them, or you think that they may needprofessional help, try to find them thesupport they need.

Wherever you are you can contact Samaritanson 08457 90 90 90 in the UK or 1850 60 9090 in the Republic of Ireland for the cost of alocal call. You can also drop into your localbranch (address and telephone number inyour local phone book), e-mailjo@samaritans.org or write to Samaritans,PO Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA.

How Samaritans can help

“I contacted the press team at Samaritans late on a Friday eveningand despite the time of the call I was very well briefed and was givenguidance as to how to handle the story in a responsible manner.I was also provided with a comment which enhanced my reportingand gave sound advice to people potentially affected by the issue.”Jennifer Sugden, Scottish Daily Mail Reporter

Understanding suicide

Why do people take their own lives?

There is no one reason why people taketheir own lives. It is often a result ofproblems building up to the point wherethe person can see no other way tocope with what they’re experiencing.The kinds of problems that mightincrease the risk of suicide include:

• Recent loss or break up of a closerelationship.

• An actual and/or expected unhappychange in circumstances.

• Painful and/or disabling physicalillness.

• Heavy use of, or dependency on,alcohol or other drugs.

• History of earlier suicide attempts orself-harming.

• History of suicide in the family.

• Depression.

When someone is feeling low ordistressed it may be that a seeminglyminor event is the trigger for themattempting to kill themselves.

How can you tell if someone is atrisk of suicide?

The manifestation of suicidal behaviourdiffers from person to person. However,unusual or atypical behaviour such asbeing very withdrawn, or excessivelyanimated, can be a sign that there issomething wrong.

Some people show very positivebehaviour such as happiness or reliefonce they have decided to take theirown life and end the pain. Alternatively,if someone is going through emotionaldistress, they can feel isolated and will

sometimes show anger or impatiencetowards the people close to them.Low self-esteem, being close to tearsand not being able to cope with smalleveryday events are also signs thatsomeone is struggling to cope withoverwhelming feelings.

Physical symptoms of depression anddistress also include sleeplessness, lossof appetite or irregular eating, stomachaches, panic attacks, low energy andloss of concentration. Signs thatsomeone is suicidal can include talkingof tidying up their affairs or expressingfeelings of despair and failure.

It is very difficult to tell if someone issuicidal or depressed, as people incrisis have unique feelings and reactin different ways – but think aboutwhether they have experienced anyof the problems listed in the previousquestion.

Are there differences betweenmen and women?

More women than men say they haveconsidered suicide (women 21%, men13%), though more men actually taketheir own lives.

Women talk about how they are feelingfar more often than men. Women arealso more likely than men to havestronger social networks, and to seekpsychiatric and other medical support.

Suicidal young men are 10 times morelikely to use a drug to relieve stress andare also more likely to feel pressurisedinto taking drugs. Suicidal young menare also significantly more likely tohave a father who is absent.

Useful resources

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How do we reduce suicide?

Getting support to those who need it

Samaritans believes that providingsomeone with the opportunity to franklyand honestly explore difficult feelings,without fear of judgement, can providerelief from distress. By helping peopleunderstand their feelings and exploretheir options we enable them to findtheir own way forward without takingcontrol away from them.

We often work with people who feelthey cannot talk to anyone else – eitherbecause they don’t have someone theytrust or because they do not want toworry those around them.

Our phone, email, SMS, letter writingand face to face support services areavailable 24/7. This is important as it isoften when most services are closedthat people struggle to get support.

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Improving understanding andreducing stigma

One thing that can stop someone comingforward and seeking help is the fear thatthey will be perceived as ‘weak’ or thatpeople will think there is something‘wrong’ with them. This is a case wherestigma can literally kill.

Samaritans works with other agencies totry and improve people’s understandingof emotional health – the part of our healththat is about the way we think and feel.We do this through our work in schools,workplaces, prisons and the media.

“Samaritans’ media guidelines aresensible, fair and helpful just likeSamaritans themselves. In thetwo months I spent reporting onthe youth suicides in Bridgend,I referred to the guidelines anumber of times and foundthem a valuable resource.”Ed Caesar, Reporter, The Sunday Times

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These guidelines were the first of their kindavailable in the UK and Ireland, originallylaunched in 1994, and the information theyinclude is based on academic research,from both the UK and overseas, as wellas the experiences of Samaritans andjournalists affected by the issues ofsuicide and self-harm.

1 Source for national suicide statistics: Englandand Wales, Office for National Statistics; Scotland,General Register Office for Scotland, NorthernIreland, NI Statistics Agency; Ireland, CentralStatistics Office. Data includes deaths by injuryundetermined whether accidental or purposefulfor England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland,excluding ICD category E988.8 for England andWales. Data for Republic of Ireland refer torecorded suicides only (ICD E950-9).

2 Hawton, K, ‘Suicide and attempted suicide’in Handbook of Affective Disorders, ed. Paykel,ES, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh 1992.

3 Blood, R.W., Pirkis, J. & Holland, K. MediaReporting of Suicide Methods. Crisis 2007;Vol. 28(Suppl. 1):64–69.

4 Hawton, K., S. Simkin, Deeks J.J., et al. 1999.Effects of a drug overdose in a television dramaon presentations to hospital for self poisoning:time series and questionnaire study. Br. Med.J. 318: 972–977.

5 Lee, D., Chan, K., Lee, S., & Yip PSF. (2002).Burning charcoal: A novel and contagiousmethod of suicide in Asia. Archives of GeneralPsychiatry, 59, 293–294.

6 Veysey MJ, Kamanyire R, Volans GN. Effects ofdrug overdose in television drama on presentationfor self-poisoning. Antifreeze poisonings give moreinsight into copycat behaviour [letter]. BritishMedical Journal 1999; 319(7217):1131.

7 Schmidtke, A., & Häfner, H. (1988). The Werthereffect after television films: New evidence for an oldhypothesis. Psychological Medicine, 18, 665–676.

8 Etzersdorfer, E., & Sonneck, G. (1998). Preventingsuicide by influencing mass-media reporting.The Viennese experience 1980–1996. Archivesof Suicide Research, 4, 67–74.

9 Williams, K, and hawton, K, ‘Suicidal behaviourand the mass media: Summary of the findings froma systematic review of the research Literature’.

10 Brent DA, Bridge J, Johnson BA, et al. (1996).Suicidal behaviour runs in families. A controlledfamily study of adolescent suicide victims.Arch Gen Psychiatry 53(12):1145-52.

11 Roy A, Rylander G, Sarchiapone M. (1997).Genetics of suicides. Family studies and moleculargenetics. Ann N Y Acad Sc. 836: 135-57.

12 Brent DA, Mann JJ. (2005). Family genetic studies,suicide, and suicidal behaviour. Am J Med Genet CSemin Med Genet 133(1): 3-24.

13 Brent DA, Kerr MM, Goldstein C, Bozigar J,Wartella ME, Allan MJ (1989), An outbreak ofsuicide and suicidal behavior in high school.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 28:918–924.

14 Gould MS, Wallenstein S, Kleinman M (1990a),Time-space clustering of teenage suicide.Am J Epidemiol 131:71–78.

15 Gould MS, Wallenstein S, Kleinman M, O’Carroll P,Mercy J (1990b), Suicide clusters: an examination ofage-specific effects. Am J Public Health 80:211–212.

16 Gould MS, Petrie K, Kleinman M, Wallenstein S(1994), Clustering of attempted suicide: NewZealand national data. Int J Epidemiol 23:1185–1189.

17 O’Carroll, P.W. & Mercy, J., A. (1990). Respondingto community-identified suicide clusters: statisticalverification of the cluster is not the primary issue.American Journal of Epidemiology, 132 (supp .1).

18 The Press Complaints Commission Code ofPractice, Clause Five.

References

“I found it extremely useful tohave such a knowledgeableand professional organisationto approach for advice when Iwas covering the sensitive issueof suicide and young people.The story I was covering abouttwo young men taking theirown lives happened shortlyafter the Bridgend suicidesand I was anxious not toinclude anything that couldtrigger further incidents.”Jennifer Sugden, Reporter, Scottish Daily Mail

mediaguidelinesfor reporting suicide and self-harm

Samaritans, The Upper MillKingston Road, Ewell, Surrey, KT17 2AF

www.samaritans.org • Tel: +44 (0)20 8394 8300

Samaritans is a Registered Charity No. 219432& Registered Company No. 757372