- Minister Butler highlights the key role of the media and safe reporting on suicide in advancing the goals of Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national self-harm and suicide reduction strategy
- In week of World Suicide Prevention Day, the Conference embraces the global theme of ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’, hearing from international experts and people with lived experience
- Conference showcases research about suicide and media guidelines, and harnesses potential for more collaborative, recovery focused, and authentic representation of lived experience of suicide in the media
Today, 12 September 2024 sees the Promoting of Safe and Sensitive Media Reporting of Suicide and Self-harm Conference draw together 150 attendees from the media, print journalism, mental health services, public relations, and suicide prevention representation and advocacy, to discuss how self-harm and suicide can be reported on safely by media, and how stories of recovery can promote positive mental health and prevent deaths by suicide.
A collaboration between the Department of Health, the World Health Organisation, and the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Office for Suicide Prevention, the event seeks to improve the linkages between mental health experts and media professionals in Ireland. It is co-hosted by Samaritans Ireland and Headline, Ireland’s national programme for responsible reporting and representation of mental health difficulties.
Suicide is a critical global issue, affecting individuals and communities worldwide, and changing the narrative surrounding suicide requires systemic change. In Ireland efforts to address this issue and encourage positive change are being advanced under Connecting for Life, Goal 1 of which seeks to improve the nation’s understanding of and attitudes to suicidal behavior, mental health and wellbeing.
Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler T.D., said:
“Preventing deaths by suicide is a priority for me and Government. Stigma remains a significant issue when it comes to mental health difficulties, and this Conference is about shifting from a culture of silence to one of openness, understanding, and support. Suicide presents a complex set of challenges for journalists, and we must support the media to report responsibly on suicide.
“We know that inappropriate or sensationalist media reporting of suicide can lead to a rise in suicide, but on the other hand, stories of hope and overcoming difficulties can have a protective effect for people experiencing distress.”
John Meehan, Head of the National Office of Suicide Prevention, said:
“Suicide is complex and, in general, there is no single event or factor that leads someone to take their own life. Effective suicide prevention takes into account many different factors. Connecting for Life, our national suicide reduction strategy emphasises the importance of working with the media and other organisations to achieve a greater understanding of suicide and the factors that protect and improve mental health and reduce stigma.
“This conference offers an opportunity to consider the important role that media reporting can play in suicide prevention, and the importance of the work conducted by organisations like Headline and the Samaritans in this space.”
The conference heard from experts including Dr. Khalid Saeed, WHO Regional Adviser for the Eastern Mediterranean, on the latest WHO guidance for media professionals, and Professor Ella Arensman, Chief Scientist at the National Suicide Research Foundation, who outlined the international research and evidence on media reporting of suicide.
The conference also heard discussions on media guidelines, ethics and responsible reporting of suicide; the need to protect the mental health of journalists; and on ensuring authenticity, representation and real voices in the media. Contributors included the Press Ombudsperson Susan McKay, Sarah Johnston of The Guardian, David Doran, Editor of RTÉ Investigates Unit, Alan Bradley, documentary maker, Malachy Clerkin, sports journalist, and Geraldine and Redmond Murphy, parents of Red Óg Murphy.
