Year: 2005 Source: Academic Psychiatry, v.29, no.5, (November-December 2005), p.495-499 SIEC No: 20090887

The objectives of this study were to discuss the theory of contagion due to media coverage, to review data that support & refute this theory, to present some promising & recommended ways to prevent imitative suicides; & to cite examples of particularly bad & good reporting. A literature review, including research & materials from private agencies, was conducted. Data support an increased number of suicides resulting from media accounts of suicide that romanticize or dramatize the description of deaths by suicide. Specific guidelines for the media that may be able to decrease these additional deaths have been devised. (10 refs.)