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Each of us – community members, survivors, educators, media, advocates, young and old alike – can play a contributing role in changing the statistics and saving lives from suicide. Whether it’s how we report on suicide deaths, or the language we use so we are not shaming survivors or those who have attempted and are contributing to a more open, impactful dialogue, we can all make a positive difference in suicide prevention. Explore the links below to learn more.

REPORTING
ON SOCIAL MEDIA >>

There may come a time when you encounter an individual who is expressing thoughts of suicide on your social media sites. You can help by posting a message encouraging them to call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also help by contacting the safety teams on the various social media sites.

  • On Facebook, you can anonymously report someone as suicidal by going to Report Suicidal Content Facebook’s safety team will send the individual an email with the Lifeline number. You can also use Facebook to support someone in a suicidal crisis. Watch the support video.
  • On Twitter, go to the Help Center and Select “Self-Harm” to send an email to Twitter reporting an individual who is suicidal. Twitter will send a direct message to the individual with the Lifeline number.
  • On Instagram, go to the Help Center and report the individual that shared the suicidal content.
  • On YouTube, you can click on the flag icon under a video and select, “Harmful Dangerous Acts” and then, “Suicide or Self-Injury”. YouTube will review the video and may send a message with the Lifeline number.
  • On Tumblr, go to the help page and write an email to Tumblr about an individual who is suicidal. Include as much information as possible, including the URL of the Tumblr blog. Tumblr’s safety team will send the individual an email with the Lifeline number.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with these processes now, so that if the time comes when you encounter an individual who is suicidal, you will know how to report the individual and get him/her help.

APPROPRIATE
LANGUAGE >>

Talking about suicide can be very difficult for many people. It can be a scary, uncomfortable topic to tackle, but it’s an important one! Having the conversation about suicide and building awareness about the warning signs could save someone’s life. We want to make sure that safe, effective messaging is used.

We believe in people first language, and hope that others become more cognizant of using this type of language whenever talking about individuals who may be experiencing a variety of situations. In this instance, if someone is suicidal or having suicidal thoughts, that would come after the individual. For example, use “an individual who is suicidal”. First and foremost, the person is still a person, and the suicidal ideation is something they are experiencing, not something that defines them. We use similar language when referring to someone with a mental illness of any type. For example, use “someone with bipolar disorder” or “an individual with depression” – not a bipolar individual or depressed individual.

It has long been said that someone “commits” suicide. Again, this is not language that we encourage in our suicide prevention efforts. Saying someone commits suicide implies they have committed a crime or a sin. Instead, we encourage language such as “died by suicide.” We also do not recommend common language that has been used referring to a successful suicide or failed attempt. No death is a success. 

While some may feel this language is insignificant and doesn’t matter, we disagree. Language is powerful, and we encourage anyone discussing suicide and practicing in this area to use that power for good and to help change years of inappropriate language.

FOR
THE MEDIA >>

More than 50 research studies worldwide have found that certain types of news coverage can increase the likelihood of suicide in vulnerable individuals. The magnitude of the increase is related to the amount, duration, and prominence of coverage.

Risk of additional suicides increases when the story explicitly describes the suicide method, uses dramatic/graphic headlines or images, and repeated/extensive coverage sensationalizes or glamorizes a death. Suicide Contagion, or “Copycat Suicide,” occurs when one or more suicides are reported in a way that contributes to another suicide.
Follow these best practices when reporting on suicide:

  • Covering suicide carefully, even briefly, can change public misperceptions, and correct myths, which can encourage those who are vulnerable or at risk to seek help.
  • Avoid saying “commit” or “committed” suicide. Using the word “commit” when referring to a suicide implies that the deceased is guilty of committing a crime or a sin. Replace the phrase “committed suicide” with “died by suicide.”
  • Report on suicide as a public health concern. Be sure to include risk factors of suicide, warning signs, trends in rates, recent treatment advances, and seek advice from prevention experts. Always include national and local suicide prevention resources.
  • Avoid reporting that a death by suicide was preceded by a single event, such as a recent job loss, divorce, or bad grades. Reporting like this leaves the public with an overly simplistic and misleading understanding of suicide.
  • When reporting on suicide, be sure to include the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number 988 and other reputable suicide prevention resources.
  • Avoid misinformation and offer hope. Add statement(s) about the many treatment options available, stories of those who overcame a suicidal crisis, and resources for help.

For additional best practices, visit: nimh.nih.gov or reportingonsuicide.org
Resource: Reporting on Suicide 2015