I often attend events related to some of the social issues we face. Given my own interest in mental health issues, particularly suicide, along with my media background, I was keen to take advantage of the opportunity to attend an event at Taunton College labelled ‘Suicide and Mental Health in the Media’.
After an introduction by former BBC reporter Ben McGrail, who now works for ITV, we heard from Lorna Fraser, Media Adviser to Samaritans.
During her talk, she mentioned that one of the key issues facing all support organisations is the extent to which the media can influence what are known as ‘copycat’ suicides.
Whilst there is no doubt that suicide must be reported, otherwise we are in danger of sweeping the issue under the carpet, this highlighted for me the vital need for responsible reporting.
Thankfully, Samaritans have made real inroads in advising media organisations, providing guidelines on how to go about reporting suicides in a sensitive way, without stifling the need to report newsworthy items.
There is no doubt that content can influence behaviour; there is a good deal of evidence that demonstrates how suicide is portrayed on TV, and in newspaper reporting, can have a significant impact.
New and emerging methods by which people choose to take their own lives are especially worrying. It almost seems as if those who have reached the stage of feeling that their life is no longer bearable, perhaps already having made several previous attempts to end their life, may respond all too readily to the suggestion that another method may be more effective in putting an end to their pain.
In this respect, the reporting of celebrity deaths, where all too often graphic detail is given, can have a negative impact; as can suicide highlighting ‘hotspots’.
What can be particularly distressing is suicide by young people, who may not have given any indication to friends and loved ones of the high level of the distress they were experiencing. One of the reasons for this is that mental health problems still carry a social stigma, making those who are suffering fearful of the reactions of those around them should they admit to their feelings. This make it that much harder for what few support services there are to be able to provide timely appropriate help.
At this time of year, youngsters who are fleeing the nest to start on the next stage of their lives, can be particularly vulnerable.
Life these days is tough and few of us remain untouched by suicide. By remaining alert to the needs of those around us, providing a listening, non-judgmental ear, can make all the difference between life and death.
