It is well-documented that the way media report on suicide can impact risk of suicide and increased contagion. The World Health Organization and a variety of organisations have developed media recommendations to aid journalists on best practices for covering suicide and self-harm related behaviours. With the world facing the COVID-19 health crisis and unremitting emergency health reporting, it is more important than ever for the media to be able to quickly understand and consider these best practices as it relates to suicide. Media reporting that is accurate, factual, fair, evidence-based and non-sensational is critical, in particular around the issue of suicide. At all times media are encouraged to report on the topic of suicide and below are tips that support and supplement existing media recommendations (best practice links can be found below) with the goal here to provide guidance on how to report about suicide specifically during a pandemic.
Read entire statement here.
Click here to download the entire briefing statement in Farsi.
Click here to download the entire briefing statement in Japanese.
Read the abbreviated version here.
