Journal article
The media and suicide
Academic psychiatry, v 29(5), pp 495-499
01 Nov 2005
PMID: 16387977
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
OBJECTIVEThe authors aim to inform readers of the theory that when newspapers, film, and television describe suicidal deaths, additional suicides may result by virtue of contagion or copy-cat effects; to review data that support and refute this theory; to present some promising and recommended ways to prevent copy-cat suicide; and to cite news-media examples of both particularly bad and good reporting.METHODSA review of the literature on media-related suicide was conducted, which included reviewing materials published in scientific journals and data published by the U.S. Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, and materials from private, not-for-profit agencies.RESULTSData support an increased number of suicides resulting from media accounts of suicide that romanticize or dramatize the description of suicidal deaths. Specific guidelines for the media that may be able to decrease these additional deaths have been devised.CONCLUSIONPsychiatrists should be familiar with the harm that may result from improper reporting of suicide in the media since they may be called upon by reporters or family members following the suicide of one of their patients or following the suicide of a newsworthy person. Following the media guidelines available may prevent such contagion effects from occurring.
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Details
- Title
- The media and suicide
- Creators
- Howard S Sudak - University of PennsylvaniaDonna M Sudak - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Academic psychiatry, v 29(5), pp 495-499
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000234301200017
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-33744982903
- Other Identifier
- 991019168278804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Education & Educational Research
- Psychiatry