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Reporting on Suicide Events

Research indicates that the way suicide is reported in the media can affect vulnerable individuals and contribute to additional suicides and suicide attempts. The following publications provide national recommendations for media for reporting on suicide while minimizing the risk to vulnerable audience members.

Media Suicide Reporting Guidelines

Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide 2011 ~ This two-page guide for reporters and editors provides a list of recommendations on how to report on suicide while minimizing the risk of contributing to suicide contagion or "copycat suicides.” Additional information safe reporting of suicides can be found at http://reportingonsuicide.org.

Reporting on Suicide: Recommendations for the Media 2001 ~ An evidence-based report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Mental Health, Office of the Surgeon General, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Association of Suicidology, and Annenberg Public Policy Center.

WMUR PSAs

In a collaborative effort with the Communications Committee of the NH Suicide Prevention Council, WMUR Channel 9 developed and aired two suicide prevention Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in Fall 2007. Click play to view the videos.

Connect Training

Connect offers training for reporters and journalism students and training about media and the importance of its role in suicide prevention and postvention.

For information on these trainings, please contact us at info@naminh.org.

Media Contacts

For NH and National Suicide Prevention Issues and Efforts, contact:

Elaine de Mello, NAMI NH
603.225-5359
edemello@naminh.org

For Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Policy Issues in NH, contact:

Dr. James MacKay, Chair of Suicide Prevention Council and Mental Health Commission
603.224.0623

For General Survivors of Suicide Loss issues, contact:

Diane Bunnell
603.223.4286

 Roger Wells
603.329.6689
RockinRW@aol.com		 Dan Wells
603.329.5276
DWells5@comcast.net

For NH Survivors of Suicide Loss Events and Resources or to be connected with a NH survivor (often survivors are willing to share their personal stories) contact:

Becky McEnany
603.545.7267
bmcenany@naminh.org