Sir, - To say I am appalled at the Star's front page coverage of a young man who had drowned in the Liffey is a major understatement. This sensational media coverage of suicide is something we in the Irish Association of Suicidology have been battling hard over the years to discourage, thankfully with some success.
The media can have a positive or negative effect in the way they report suicides. The Star's colour photographic coverage falls disgracefully into the latter category. Images of young people floating face downwards in water may enhance newspaper circulation figures. Unfortunately such coverage has been shown to have an adverse effect on suicide rates. I refer to the well documented worldwide phenomenon of copycat suicides or the so-called `Werther Effect'.
The media can be a powerful influence for good, encouraging education and positive attitudes towards mental health. Sensational media coverage, on the other hand, may foster an affinity with those who committed suicide and confer an aura of celebrity on them.
It is our aim to form a partnership with representatives of the media to lay down ethical standards for the reporting of suicide, suicidal behaviour and related matters.
The media can help by paying attention to the following points in the knowledge that they arise from valid research.
Avoid simplistic explanations of suicide. Completed suicide is the end result of a process involving many complex interwoven factors.
Debunk some of the common myths about suicide such as: "If someone is going to commit suicide they are going to do it and there is nothing you can do about it".
Avoid how-to descriptions of suicide in reports - the less detail of the mechanisms used the better.
Avoid repetitive ongoing coverage of suicide stories, especially of youth suicides as this may promote an unhealthy preoccupation about suicide among the young.
Don't romanticise or glorify suicide. Some reports may seem as if the community is honouring suicide.
Last year, the IAS highlighted the need for a national code of practice for the reporting of suicide and related matters. The response was poor. Anybody interested in forming such a group under the aegis of the IAS can contact me at the address below or e-mail drjfc@iol.ie. Hopefully, this letter will stimulate debate and promote collaboration between individuals and community groups in dealing with what has become a very serious issue. - Yours, etc., Dr John F. Connolly, Hon Secretary, Irish Association of Suicidology,
St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.