How media sources (television, newspaper, movies, internet) portray a suicide can impact whether or not others attempt to copy the act.
Parameter
Encourage Copycat Suicides
Act to Reduce Copycat Suicides
notoriety of person committing suicide
emphasized
downplayed
goal of wording
intended to sell the media, sensational, glamorizing
intended to help troubled or depressed readers
placement and headline
includes “suicide” or lurid descriptors
downplays event
description of method used to commit suicide
lurid and specific
minimal details
portrayal of suicide
described as the only way out or heroic
describes alternative coping strategies
photographs or images
lurid and intended to draw attention
none or emphasizes negative impact on others
portrayal of impact on others
insensitive or selects content glamorizing the suicide
sensitive and emphasizes the negative impact on others
suicide prevention services
not mentioned or suicide described as unpreventable
emphasizes prevention and gives specifics
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
