News
The media plays a critical role in influencing community attitudes towards suicide and self-harm. These issues are legitimate stories for journalists to cover and the way in which journalists write about them can be helpful or harmful. Carefully considered stories about recovery and suicide prevention can have a positive affect on the public, and help to reduce the suicide rate.
Mindframe is the Australian Department of Health and Ageing's national strategy for promoting responsible and accurate reporting of suicide and mental illness in the media. It is steered and determined by the National Media and Mental Health Group.
'Reporting Suicide and Mental Illness - a resource for media professionals' was developed with the assistance of media professionals, suicide and mental health experts and consumer organisations to inform appropriate reporting of suicide and mental illness, to minimise harm and copycat behaviour, and reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental illness.
LIFE Communications can assist journalists to prepare responsible stories about suicide and suicide prevention. Contact Rhona Rees on 03 8398 8408 for background information, statistics and experts to interview.
Tips on how to report about suicide and self-harm in the media
- Consult Mindframe guidelines on reporting on suicide responsibly
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Avoid listing details of methods and locations
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Consider the feelings of relatives
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Avoid sensational headlines
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Avoid romanticising or glorifying suicide
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Seek expert advice
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Include
helpline numbers
at the end of your report:
Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
Mensline Australia 1300 789 978Statistics
Fact sheet 3: Statistics on suicide in Australia provides a snapshot of the latest research, and is a good source of information for suicide-related articles. More research can be found in our
library.