Media guidelines for reporting on suicide: 2017 update of the Canadian Psychiatric Association policy paper

A substantial body of research suggests that media reports about people who have died by suicide, as well as the topic of suicide in general, can influence vulnerable people and is associated with higher subsequent rates of suicide. Emerging evidence also suggests that reports about people overcoming suicidal crises may lower suicide rates. The original 2009 Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) policy paper on media reporting of suicide1 led to meaningful discussion between mental health professionals and journalists in Canada. This second iteration of the policy paper reviews the most up-to-date evidence relating to media reporting and suicide, and updates recommendations with more  direct engagement and input from the journalism community. Recommendations are meant as a guide for all relevant stakeholders, including journalists, editors, producers, journalism educators, researchers, policy makers, mental
health professionals, and social media platforms. The paper suggests a framework for approaching suicide related coverage and outlines potentially harmful and helpful aspects of reporting that should be avoided and included, respectively. Recommendations include using appropriate language, trying to reduce the stigma around mental disorders, and providing information about alternatives to suicide. Pertinent resources for people contemplating suicide, such as crisis services, should also be provided and can be directly linked to reports that appear online. Simplistic or glorified depictions of suicide should be avoided, and suicide should not be presented as a way of solving problems. Reports should avoid details of suicide methods, particularly if they are novel or unusual. Recommendations also include that, where possible, suicide should be covered by or with the input of health reporters who are best positioned to contextualize suicide within the broader topic of mental health. The paper also makes preliminary recommendations for social media and suggests collaboration with online platforms to help establish organizational standards concerning the dissemination of information about suicide.