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Ju Y, Scherr S, Prieler M. How Do Recommended Elements in Suicide News Coverage Work? An Investigation of the Effect of Responsible Reporting and Readers' Reflectiveness on Suicide Prevention. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 39:1899-1905. [PMID: 37599263 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2247154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
To examine the effect of positive elements in suicide reporting guidelines, we assessed how responsible reporting on suicide (RRS) affect cognitive and intentional responses. We also investigated the moderating role of audience reflectiveness in news processing. Here, 308 individuals participated in a single-factor between-subject experiment conducted in South Korea. We manipulated the number of positive RRS features in news articles by adding suicide statistics, contact information for helplines, and efficacy-enforcing information. Overall, news articles containing multiple RRS elements had a stronger impact on behavioral intentions to help others in a suicidal crisis than a basic news article without RRS elements. Interestingly, reflectiveness had a stronger influence on individuals who read a suicide news report having the most RRS elements relative to those who read suicide news without any RRS elements, signifying an indirect impact of suicide news on intentions to help. The implications of this RRS effect identified are discussed in terms of suicide prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sebastian Scherr
- Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research, University of Augsburg
- Department of Media, Knowledge, and Communication, University of Augsburg
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Hawton K, Pirkis J. Suicide prevention: reflections on progress over the past decade. Lancet Psychiatry 2024; 11:472-480. [PMID: 38754457 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(24)00105-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Interest in preventing suicides has increased greatly in recent years. In this Personal View, we consider the general global developments related to suicide prevention that have occurred in the decade since The Lancet Psychiatry was first published in 2014. We then review specific advances during this period, first, in relation to public health initiatives, and second, with regard to clinical developments. Finally, we examine some of the challenges that currently confront individuals and organisations responsible for designing and implementing suicide prevention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Hawton
- Centre for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Jane Pirkis
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Jetubhai KB. "Dressed like boys, hair trimmed, a nalla kutti otherwise": construction of queer suicide in Indian online news media. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2024; 9:1370517. [PMID: 38855007 PMCID: PMC11157131 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2024.1370517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Suicide is a significant newsworthy event, and the media often cover cases involving queer individuals. However, there is a notable lack of research on the quality of reporting of queer suicide cases within the Indian context. This article aims to address the existing gap in Indian online news media by investigating the portrayal of queer suicide via content analysis. Content analysis involves qualitatively condensing and interpreting data to extract key consistencies and meanings from a plethora of qualitative material. The newspapers considered span from 2005 to 2022, with data collection conducted in 2023. The author alone identified news articles on queer suicide and conducted the subsequent content analysis. The study reveals that reporting on queer suicide tends to divide queer couples into the gender binary and describes what it deems to be careless sexual conduct driven by obsessive queer love, which, in turn, is blamed for the suicide. Moreover, these reports often do the following: feature families who refuse to accept their children's identities, adopt dread-filled tones, and cite experts who provide incorrect information while engaging in victim blaming. As a result, the quality of queer suicide reporting in Indian newspapers is deemed substandard and offensive. To address this issue, the study proposes the need for training and curriculum updates in journalistic courses. This way, reporters can develop the skills necessary to sensitively and respectfully report on queer individuals in general and on queer suicide in particular.
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Sinyor M, Ekstein D, Prabaharan N, Fiksenbaum L, Vandermeer C, Schaffer A, Pirkis J, Heisel MJ, Goldstein BI, Redelmeier DA, Taylor P, Niederkrotenthaler T. Changes in Media Reporting Quality and Suicides Following National Media Engagement on Responsible Reporting of Suicide in Canada: Changements de la Qualité des reportages dans les médias sur les suicides suite à l'engagement des médias nationaux à la déclaration responsable du suicide au Canada. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2024; 69:358-368. [PMID: 38174363 PMCID: PMC11032096 DOI: 10.1177/07067437231223334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Responsible media reporting is an accepted strategy for preventing suicide. In 2015, suicide prevention experts launched a media engagement initiative aimed at improving suicide-related reporting in Canada; its impact on media reporting quality and suicide deaths is unknown. METHOD This pre-post observational study examined changes in reporting characteristics in a random sample of suicide-related articles from major publications in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) media market. Articles (n = 900) included 450 from the 6-year periods prior to and after the initiative began. We also examined changes in suicide counts in the GTA between these epochs. We used chi-square tests to analyse changes in reporting characteristics and time-series analyses to identify changes in suicide counts. Secondary outcomes focused on guidelines developed by media professionals in Canada and how they may have influenced media reporting quality as well as on the overarching narrative of media articles during the most recent years of available data. RESULTS Across-the-board improvement was observed in suicide-related reporting with substantial reductions in many elements of putatively harmful content and substantial increases in all aspects of putatively protective content. However, overarching article narratives remained potentially harmful with 55.2% of articles telling the story of someone's death and 20.8% presenting an other negative message. Only 3.6% of articles told a story of survival. After controlling for potential confounders, a nonsignificant numeric decrease in suicide counts was identified after initiative implementation (ω = -5.41, SE = 3.43, t = 1.58, p = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS We found evidence that a strategy to engage media in Canada changed the content of reporting, but there was only a nonsignificant trend towards fewer suicides. A more fundamental change in media narratives to focus on survival rather than death appears warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Sinyor
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Daniella Ekstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nivetha Prabaharan
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Caroline Vandermeer
- Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Ayal Schaffer
- Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jane Pirkis
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marnin J. Heisel
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Benjamin I. Goldstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Donald A. Redelmeier
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Paul Taylor
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Thomas Niederkrotenthaler
- Unit Suicide Research and Mental Health Promotion, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research, Vienna, Austria
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Till B, Arendt F, Rothauer P, Niederkrotenthaler T. The Role of the Narrative in Educative Suicide Awareness Materials: A Randomized Controlled Trial. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 39:403-416. [PMID: 36659822 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2167580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
There has been a debate about the suitability of different narratives in educative suicide prevention materials. Whereas some suicide prevention experts recommend raising awareness of suicide by highlighting its prevalence, others argue that this approach may normalize suicide and advocate focusing on help resources instead. Unfortunately, empirical evidence regarding this question is lacking. This randomized controlled trial aimed to test the impact of educative news articles that conveyed different narratives of suicide prevention. One article focused on the prevalence of suicide, one article highlighted professional help resources, and one article emphasized on how everyone can help to prevent suicide. We randomized n = 334 participants to read either one of these three articles or an article unrelated to suicide. Data on suicidal ideation, stigmatizing attitudes toward suicidal individuals, attitudes toward suicide prevention, and help-seeking intentions were collected with questionnaires, and implicit measures were used to assess participants' mental accessibility of concepts related to suicide and suicide prevention. Participants exposed to the article highlighting the high prevalence of suicide tended to show a higher accessibility of potentially detrimental cognitive concepts related to suicide. In contrast, the accessibility of the concept of "helping" and that "suicide is preventable" was higher in participants' memory when exposed to materials focusing on help. It seems that the impact of educative suicide awareness materials on readers' access to suicide- and suicide-prevention-related concepts in memory varied depending on the narrative featured in the article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Till
- Unit Suicide Research & Mental Health Promotion, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna
- Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research
| | - Florian Arendt
- Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research
- Department of Communication, University of Vienna
| | - Pascal Rothauer
- Unit Suicide Research & Mental Health Promotion, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna
| | - Thomas Niederkrotenthaler
- Unit Suicide Research & Mental Health Promotion, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna
- Wiener Werkstaette for Suicide Research
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Ju Y, Scherr S, Arendt F, You M, Prieler M. Little Strokes Fell Big Oaks: How Repeated Recommendations for Suicide Reporting Drive the Quality of Suicide News in South Korea. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024:302228241228007. [PMID: 38247392 DOI: 10.1177/00302228241228007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates how far repeated releases of recommendations for responsible reporting on suicide (RRS) are associated with changes in the quality of suicide reporting. A content analysis was conducted on suicide news articles (N = 606) by the Korean newspapers Hankyoreh Sinmun and Chosun Ilbo in four six-month periods from 2004 to 2019, which covered the periods before and after the releases of three versions of suicide reporting guidelines. Elements for RRS served as a proxy for the reporting quality, which includes both avoiding negative elements and providing positive ones. Not only the number of suicide news stories reduced by half in the last two observation periods, overall RRS scores and most individual RRS elements increased in the third period, compared to the first or second period. The avoidance RRS for headline, however, was not significantly improved. Korean news media also tended to be sensationalistic in using photos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngkee Ju
- The Media School, Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Sebastian Scherr
- Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research, Department of Media, Knowledge, and Communication, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Department of Communication & Journalism, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Florian Arendt
- Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Myoungsoon You
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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Davico C, Arletti L, Silverio G, Marcotulli D, Ricci FS, Amianto F, Vitiello B. Suicide in the press: an analysis of newspaper coverage of adolescent versus adult suicides in Italy. Eur Psychiatry 2024; 67:e9. [PMID: 38228324 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An association between sensationalized media reporting and subsequent increase in suicidal behavior has been documented, and adolescents are especially vulnerable to imitative influences. The aims of this study were to examine the characteristics of the articles reporting adult and adolescent (under age 18) suicides in the Italian press and to assess adherence to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for responsible reporting. Methods: The print versions of the three newspapers with the widest national distribution in Italy were searched for all the articles on incident suicides printed over a 7-month period (July 2022 to February 2023). Articles were examined for adherence to the WHO guidelines. Results: Overall, 213 articles were identified, reporting on 122 individual suicide cases (88.5% adults and 11.5% adolescents). Of the articles, 78.9% were on adults and 21.1% on adolescents, with a ratio articles/suicide cases of 1.6 for adults and 3.2 for adolescents (p < 0.0001). Adolescent suicide articles had more words (mean 612.5 ± SD 275.6) than adult ones (462.1 ± 267.7, p = 0.001). Potentially harmful reporting features were present in both the adult and adolescent articles (12-82%). Few articles (0-15%) included protective features. Articles on adolescents were more adherent to the WHO guidelines for omitting specific information of suicide method and location. Conclusions: Significant differences were found in the press reporting of adolescent versus adult suicides, with adolescent suicides receiving more attention in terms of the number of articles and article length. Suicide press reporting can be improved. A close collaboration between journalists and suicide prevention experts may be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Davico
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Arletti
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Silverio
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Daniele Marcotulli
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica S Ricci
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Benedetto Vitiello
- Section of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Mental Health, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Shamla F, Ali T, Chaudhari B, Chaudhury S, Saldanha D. Quality of online media reports of suicide and attempted suicide in India. Ind Psychiatry J 2023; 32:S100-S104. [PMID: 38370919 PMCID: PMC10871415 DOI: 10.4103/ipj.ipj_227_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background News media reporting of suicide may influence the masses toward or against suicidal behavior. So, responsible reporting by news media is important to protect vulnerable people from the deleterious effects of media reporting. World Health Organization has issued guidelines for media reporting of suicide in this regard. We planned this research to evaluate the quality of online news media reports of suicide and attempted suicides in India. Material and Methods We assessed a total of 210 news reports about suicide and attempted suicides (70 English, 70 Malayalam, and 70 Hindi) to evaluate the reporting of harmful and protective characteristics in news according to the World Health Organization guidelines for reporting suicide in media. Results We found all three language media reported almost all potentially harmful characteristics with gender (100%), location/site of suicide in the headline (97.61%), precipitating life events (95.24%), mentioning term 'Suicide' in the headline (98.10%), monocausal explanation for suicidality (90.95%), suicide method in the headline (90.95%), an accompanying photo (92.38%), and suicide method (93.81%) being reported with highest frequency. Potentially protective characteristics were not included in most news reports with poor focus on awareness information. Vernacular language media were poor as compared to English news media about the quality of reporting suicide. Conclusion We found poor adherence to reporting guidelines by online news media for reporting of suicide with poor coverage of educative and awareness information for the general public. It underlines the need for improving awareness among media professionals about responsible reporting of suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Shamla
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Tahoora Ali
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Bhushan Chaudhari
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Suprakash Chaudhury
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Daniel Saldanha
- Department of Psychiatry, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Levi-Belz Y, Starostintzki Malonek R, Hamdan S. Trends in Newspaper Coverage of Suicide in Israel: An 8-Year Longitudinal Study. Arch Suicide Res 2023; 27:1191-1206. [PMID: 36036903 DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2022.2111534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nature of newspaper coverage of suicide events can impact suicide risk. Thus, the World Health Organization published recommendations for reporting suicide in the media. To date, Israel has no data regarding adherence to these media guidelines and no indication of the influence of the Israeli National Suicide Prevention Program (NSPP) on adherence. Aiming to fill these gaps, the current study examined (1) Israeli newspapers' adherence to the guidelines for suicide coverage and (2) the impact of the NSPP on the adherence level of media reporting. METHOD Adherence to newspapers coverage guidelines was examined in two leading Israeli newspapers at three time points: T1 (2012, two years before the NSPP's establishment), T2 (2016-2017, 2-3 years after its establishment), and T3 (2018-2019, 4-5 years after NSPP's establishment). All articles reporting on suicide or suicidal behavior were analyzed at each time point regarding their adherence to the media guidelines. RESULTS Two hundred articles were assessed and analyzed. The adherence level was 49.35% across all time points. We found improved adherence at T2 (after the initiation of the NSPP) in most of the guidelines but a slight decline at T3. Adherence to guidelines regarding prevention (Do guidelines) showed no significant improvement over time. CONCLUSIONS General adherence to guidelines was relatively low. However, steps can be taken to improve media coverage of suicide stories. The NSPP should make greater efforts to promote changes in media coverage of suicide events in Israel, such as providing information about risk factors, prevention, and intervention. HIGHLIGHTSA longitudinal study examined Israeli newspapers over three time points in the last decade.General adherence level to the suicide coverage guidelines was 49.35% across all time points.The National Suicide Prevention Program was linked to improvement in adherence to most guidelines.
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Scaioli G, Lo Moro G, Giacomini G, Galvagno PF, Bert F, Siliquini R. Prevention of the Werther effect: compliance of the Italian newspapers to the 'reporting on suicide' recommendations. Public Health 2023; 221:124-130. [PMID: 37441996 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Suicide media coverage could lead to imitation, the so-called 'Werther effect'. The World Health Organization (WHO) published specific recommendations for reporting suicide news. This study aimed to quantify the compliance of Italian newspapers with the WHO suicide reporting guidelines. STUDY DESIGN This was a quantitative content analysis study. METHODS All articles published by the three main Italian newspapers from June 2019 to May 2020 describing suicides or attempted suicides were included. The articles were analyzed using a checklist based on the WHO recommendations, which included 18 'negative' items (e.g. 'presence of the word 'suicide' in the title') and nine 'positive' items (e.g. 'the article reports the contacts of a suicide prevention hotline'). Each negative item was scored -1, and each positive item was scored +1. Multivariate linear regressions were performed to identify factors associated with lower adherence to WHO recommendations and higher social media engagement with the articles. RESULTS A total of 3483 articles were screened, and 110 articles were included in the final analysis. The suicidal was male in 73.6% of cases. The median checklist score was -6 (interquartile range 3). Five percent of the articles had at least one positive item. The word 'suicide' was found in 90% of the titles. Female suicides were associated with a higher checklist score (coefficient 0.81, P = 0.039). No correlation was found between the checklist score and the social media engagement of the articles. CONCLUSIONS Italian newspapers do not adhere completely to the WHO recommendations on reporting suicide, leading to a potential imitation effect. Public health professionals should make decision-makers and journalists aware of the importance of these recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Scaioli
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Local Health Authority ASL TO3, Turin, Italy
| | - G Lo Moro
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - G Giacomini
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - P F Galvagno
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - F Bert
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Local Health Authority ASL TO3, Turin, Italy
| | - R Siliquini
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; AOU City of Health and Science of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Onoja IB, Ojih SEU, Onoja PO, Onoja NM, Bebenimibo P, Akor SE. Nigerian newspapers coverage of suicide: Assessment of adherence to WHO suicide reporting guidelines. Indian J Psychiatry 2023; 65:579-585. [PMID: 37397849 PMCID: PMC10309254 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_537_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Context Despite an increase in research evidence on media compliance with suicide reporting guidelines globally, evidence from Nigeria seems to be relatively limited. Aim This study assessed the prevalence of World Health Organization (WHO) helpful/harmful suicide reporting cues in suicide stories reported by Nigerian newspapers in 2021. Setting and Design The setting is the entire Nigeria and the design is descriptive. Method Quantitative content analysis method was adopted and 205 online suicide-related stories from news portals of 10 purposefully selected newspapers were analyzed. The newspapers selected were among the top 20 in Nigeria and had higher circulation/coverage and considerable online presence. Evaluation framework was designed following moderated WHO guidelines. Statistical Analysis Used Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used for the analysis. Results The study suggested high prevalence of harmful reporting and near absence of helpful suicide reporting cues among Nigerian newspapers. Majority of the stories, 95.6% mentioned suicide in the headline; 79.5% provided details on the suicide methods employed; 66.3% offered mono-causal explanation to suicide; and 59% featured images of suicide victims and/or suicide-related graphics. Helpful reporting cues were almost nonexistence as only less than 4% of the stories traced warning signs, reported mental health experts/professionals' opinions, featured research findings/population level statistics, and provided details on the identity/contact of suicide prevention programs/support services. Conclusion Prevalence of harmful suicide-reporting practice among Nigerian Newspaper presented a gloomy future for suicide prevention in the country. There be training and motivation programs for health/crime reporters/editors on responsive media coverage of suicide following (a domesticated) WHO guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibe Ben Onoja
- Department of Mass Communication, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Nelson Monday Onoja
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
| | - Paul Bebenimibo
- Department of Mass Communication, Delta State University, Uruoka, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - Shedrack Egbunu Akor
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
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Kar SK, Menon V, Mukherjee S, Bascarane S, Sharma G, Pattnaik JI, Ransing R, Padhy SK, Agarwal V. Suicide reporting of LGBTQI+ population in India: An analysis of online media reports of the past decade. J Public Health (Oxf) 2023; 45:e95-e103. [PMID: 34747474 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imbalanced portrayal of suicide by the media can have adverse public health consequences. We aimed to evaluate the psychosocial context, as well as the quality of media reporting, of suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) population. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate online news reports discussing the suicide of LGBTQI+ persons published between January 2011 and January 2021. Psychosocial factors associated with suicide were extracted from the reports. Quality of suicide reporting was checked against international as well as locally relevant reporting guidelines. RESULTS A total of 135 suicide reports from five newspapers were analyzed. Multiple psychosocial stressors were reported in 54.5% of the suicides. Social stigma was the most common factor associated with LGBTQI+ suicide. Several breaches of reporting were noted in relation to mentioning the identity (55.6%) and method of suicide (54.3%) in the title of report and inclusion of the deceased's photograph (20.4%). Potentially helpful reporting characteristics, such as including educational information (2.2%), mentioning warning signs (12.6%) and suicide support service details (3.7%), were rarely practiced. Local language news articles displayed more frequent and serious violations compared to English news reports. CONCLUSION Indian media reporting of suicide among LGBTQI+ persons is poorly adherent to reporting guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India
| | - Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry 605006, India
| | - Srijeeta Mukherjee
- Department of Psychiatry, M.K.C.G. Medical College, Brahmapur, Ganjam, Odisha 760004, India
| | - Sharmi Bascarane
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry 605006, India
| | - Ginni Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India
| | - Jigyansa Ipsita Pattnaik
- Department of Psychiatry, Kalinga Institute of Medical College (KIMS) KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Ramdas Ransing
- Department of Psychiatry, BKL Walalwalkar Rural Medical College, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra 415606, India
| | - Susanta Kumar Padhy
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751019, India
| | - Vivek Agarwal
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India
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Ayub M, Rafiq B, Tahir SM, Imran N, Naveed S, Haider II. Assessing the quality of media reporting of suicide deaths in Pakistan against international guidelines. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:406-411. [PMID: 35734801 DOI: 10.1177/00207640221106683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Pakistan, there is lack of official suicide data due to associated stigma and socio-cultural factors. Although, suicide incidents are regularly reported in newspapers there are no official suicide reporting guidelines. AIMS The aim was to study the quality of suicide reporting in Pakistani newspapers and compare it to international media guidelines. METHOD Newspaper reports on suicide deaths were searched in four Pakistani national newspapers from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2020. Data was extracted using templates based on World Health Organization and Reporting on Suicide media guidelines. RESULTS There were total 2,295 suicides reported in 2 years. The word 'suicide' was mentioned in title of 2,113 (92.06%) reports. In 70.37% news articles, motive for suicide was reduced to a single factor. Method was mentioned in 95.6% suicides. Pictures accompanied 103 (4.4%) news reports. Only 13 (0.57%) the news stories recognized the link between substance abuse and suicide. None of the reports provided education to public about suicide or mentioned resources to seek help. CONCLUSIONS The articles reporting on suicide deaths were regularly featured in Pakistani newspapers with strikingly low level of adherence to suicide reporting guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ayub
- Academic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Bariah Rafiq
- Academic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Sania Mumtaz Tahir
- Academic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Nazish Imran
- Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Sadiq Naveed
- Insititute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Imran Ijaz Haider
- Department of Psychiatry, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
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Flego A, Reifels L, Mihalopoulos C, Bandara P, Page A, Fox T, Skehan J, Hill NTM, Krysinska K, Andriessen K, Schlichthorst M, Pirkis J, Le LK. Cost-effectiveness of media reporting guidelines for the prevention of suicide. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2022; 52:1048-1057. [PMID: 36106404 PMCID: PMC9825953 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Media guidelines for the responsible reporting of suicide are a recognized universal suicide prevention intervention. While implemented in numerous countries, including Australia, little is known about whether they are cost-effective. We aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of Mindframe, the national initiative implementing media guidelines in Australia. METHOD We conducted a modelled economic evaluation (5-year time-horizon) incorporating two types of economic analysis: (i) return-on-investment (ROI) comparing estimated cost savings from the intervention to the total intervention cost, and (ii) cost-effectiveness analysis comparing the net intervention costs to health outcomes: suicide deaths prevented and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). We also included uncertainty analyses to propagate parameter uncertainty and sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of the model outputs to changes in input parameters and assumptions. RESULTS The estimated ROI ratio for the main analysis was 94:1 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 37 to 170). The intervention was associated with cost savings of A$596M (95% UI: A$228M to A$1,081M), 139 (95% UI: 55 to 252) suicides prevented and 107 (95% UI: 42 to 192) QALYs gained. The intervention was dominant, or cost-saving, compared with no intervention with results being robust to sensitivity analysis but varying based on the conservativeness of the parameters entered. CONCLUSION Mindframe was found to be cost-saving, and therefore, worthy of investment and inclusion as part of national suicide prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Flego
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global HealthThe University of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Lennart Reifels
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global HealthThe University of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Cathrine Mihalopoulos
- Health Economics Division, School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Piumee Bandara
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney UniversityNSWAustralia
| | - Andrew Page
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney UniversityNSWAustralia
| | | | - Jaelea Skehan
- EverymindNSWAustralia,School of Medicine and Public HealthUniversity of NewcastleAustralia
| | - Nicole T. M. Hill
- Telethon Kids InstituteWestern Australia,University of Western AustraliaWestern Australia
| | - Karolina Krysinska
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global HealthThe University of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Karl Andriessen
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global HealthThe University of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Marisa Schlichthorst
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global HealthThe University of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Jane Pirkis
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global HealthThe University of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Long Khanh‐Dao Le
- Health Economics Division, School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
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15
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Kar SK, Tripathy S, Arafat SMY. Voice assists (Alexa) and suicidal behavior: A potential area of suicide prevention. Asian J Psychiatr 2022; 72:103117. [PMID: 35421623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, U.P., India
| | - Sarvodaya Tripathy
- Department of Microbiology, Great Eastern Medical School, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - S M Yasir Arafat
- Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka 1340, Bangladesh.
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Ned LY, Chinyamurindi WT, Bantjes J. Content analysis of reports of student suicide deaths in South African print medium newspapers. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1108/jpmh-10-2021-0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
The aim was to assess the quality of newspaper reporting of university student suicides in South Africa, using the World Health Organisation guidelines. Suicide among university students is a growing public health problem. The media has an important role to play in preventing student suicides by adhering to international best practice guidelines on ethical reporting of suicides.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducted a content analysis of print medium newspaper articles in the 13 most widely read English language South African newspapers from the period of January 2017 to January 2020.
Findings
The initial search yielded a total of 28 news reports, of which 19 met this study’s inclusion criteria and were analysed using content analysis. The quality of reporting showed both potentially harmful and helpful characteristics. Poor adherence to international reporting guidelines were found in the description of method and location of suicide, sensational headlines, publishing photos of the deceased, linking suicide to criminality, simplistic narration of the life events leading to the suicide and use of sensational and potentially triggering language. No reports adhered to all reporting guidelines. Findings suggests that there are widespread potentially unhelpful practices in the reporting of student suicides and a need for suicide prevention experts to work with journalists to promote critical reflexivity and ethical reasoning when writing about student suicides.
Research limitations/implications
This study only included news reports published in English in the most widely read newspapers.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to systematically examine media reporting on suicide in South Africa.
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Kar SK, Shukla S, Rai S, Sharma N, Roy D, Menon V, Arafat SMY. Assessing the Quality of Suicide Reporting in Online Newspapers in Uttar Pradesh, India, According to World Health Organization Guidelines. CRISIS 2022; 43:142-148. [PMID: 33620257 DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Background: Sensitive media reporting has an important role in suicide prevention. However, there is no research on the quality of media reporting of suicide in newspapers of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. Aim: The present study aimed to assess the quality of newspaper reports of suicide against the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting guidelines. Method: Suicide news content of four purposively selected newspapers published between March 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020, were scrutinized. A total of 501 news reports from UP were included. Results: The most commonly reported attribute was the gender of the deceased and the method of suicide. Almost half of the newspapers reported the occupation of the deceased in the title. Mental illness was attributed as a cause of suicide among 23.75% of the news reports. Less than 2% of the news reports referred to expert opinion, research evidence, national or global statistics on suicide, suicide prevention measures, or information about suicide helpline. There was a significant difference in the quality of reporting between the vernacular newspapers and English dailies. Limitations: Only four online newspapers were analyzed retrospectively. Conclusion: The quality of media reporting of suicide in UP is found to be poor despite its negative effect on suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shreya Shukla
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sagar Rai
- King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Nivedita Sharma
- King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Deblina Roy
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India
| | - S M Yasir Arafat
- Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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18
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Singh R, Mahato S, Khadka S, Basnet P, Bista K, Karki R, Arafat SMY. Newspaper reporting of suicide in Nepal: Quality assessment against World Health Organization media guidelines. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e547. [PMID: 35284645 PMCID: PMC8900976 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sensible media reporting of suicide is a population-based suicide prevention strategy. However, the quality of media reporting of suicide has not been assessed in Nepal. Objectives We aimed to assess the newspaper reporting status of suicide in Nepal with reference to World Health Organization (WHO) media guidelines for suicide reporting. Method We retrospectively searched eight major newspapers in Nepal between January 2020 and May 2021 and assessed 167 news reports against WHO suicide reporting guidelines. Results Potentially harmful characteristics were found to be reported in both the title and main text of the reports. About half of them mentioned sex (48.5%) and 38.3% mentioned the location of suicide in the title. Of the 167 reports, 74.3%, 95.2%, 34.7%, 92.2%, 98.8%, and 52.7% mentioned the name, sex, occupation, method of suicide, the location of suicide, and life events, respectively, in their main content. On the other hand, only 6% and 2.4% of reports mentioned linkage of suicides with mental illness and substance abuse, respectively. While lesser than 1% of reports narrated educative information regarding suicide prevention, none mentioned contact information for help-seeking for the vulnerable. Conclusion Newspaper reporting of suicide in Nepal poorly adheres to WHO guidelines, substantiated by the high presence of potentially harmful characteristics and negligible presence of potentially helpful characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Singh
- Research DepartmentTranscultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) NepalKathmanduNepal
- Visiting Faculty, Department of Community Medicine and Public HealthKIST Medical CollegeLalitpurNepal
| | - Sharika Mahato
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Research DepartmentPlan International NepalLalitpurNepal
| | | | - Pragyan Basnet
- School of MedicinePatan Academy of Health SciencesLalitpurNepal
| | - Kalendra Bista
- School of MedicinePatan Academy of Health SciencesLalitpurNepal
| | - Ritika Karki
- School of MedicinePatan Academy of Health SciencesLalitpurNepal
| | - S. M. Yasir Arafat
- Department of PsychiatryEnam Medical College and HospitalSavarBangladesh
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Arafat SMY, Ahmad AR, Saeed AK, Menon V, Shoib S, Kar SK. Quality of media reporting of suicide in Iraq. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022; 68:443-448. [PMID: 33736514 DOI: 10.1177/00207640211003928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass media has an important role in influencing the suicidal behavior of the general population. However, the quality of news reporting of suicide has not been assessed in Iraq. AIM We aimed to assess the quality of news reports in Iraq while reporting the suicidal behaviors. METHODS The search was done on Google in November and December 2020 with the search term 'suicide news in Iraq' and accessible news reports distributed in Kurdish, Arabic, and English languages were taken out. We scrutinized the news reports to identify the reporting characteristics and compared them with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. RESULTS A total of 130 news reports were analyzed; among them 23.8% were Kurdish, 63.8% were Arabic, and 12.3% were in the English language. About 31.5% of the reports mentioned the name and 40.8% mentioned the occupation. The name of method was mentioned in 88.5%, mono-causality was found in about 34.6%, the term 'suicide' was mentioned in the headline in 94.6%, and method of suicide was mentioned in the headline of about 27.7% of the reports. Only 5.4% of the reports traced mental illness, 6.9% mentioned expert opinion, and none of the reports mentioned prevention program, and educative information. CONCLUSION The study revealed that news reports of suicidal behavior in Iraq are poorly adherent to the WHO reporting guidelines. Further studies are warranted to identify the responsible factors and culture-specific prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Yasir Arafat
- Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Araz Ramazan Ahmad
- Department of Administration, College of Humanities, University of Raparin, Ranya, Iraq.,Department of International Relations & Diplomacy, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
| | | | - Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Sheikh Shoib
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital, Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
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20
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The national suicide prevention strategy in India: context and considerations for urgent action. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; 9:160-168. [PMID: 34895477 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(21)00152-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
India reports the highest number of suicide deaths in the world. At this time when the Indian Government is formulating a national suicide prevention strategy, we have reviewed the current status of suicides in India, focusing on epidemiology, risk factors, and existing suicide prevention strategies to identify key challenges and priorities for suicide prevention. The suicide rate among Indian girls and women continues to be twice the global rate. Suicide accounts for most deaths in the 15-39 years age group compared with other causes of death. Hanging is the most common method of suicide, followed by pesticides poisoning, medicine overdose, and self-immolation. In addition to depression and alcohol use disorders as risk factors, several social and cultural factors appear to increase risk of suicide. The absence of a national suicide prevention strategy, inappropriate media reporting, legal conflicts in the interpretation of suicide being punishable, and inadequate multisectoral engagement are major barriers to effective suicide prevention. A scaffolding approach is useful to reduce suicide rates, as interventions provided at the right time, intensity, and duration can help navigate situations in which a person might be susceptible to and at risk of suicide. In addition to outlining research and data priorities, we provide recommendations that emphasise multilevel action priorities for suicide prevention across various sectors. We call for urgent action in India by integrating suicide prevention measures at every level of public health, with special focus on the finalisation and implementation of the national suicide prevention strategy.
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21
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Raj S, Ghosh A, Sharma B, Goel S. Do online media adhere to the responsible suicide reporting guidelines? A cross sectional study from India. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022; 68:44-54. [PMID: 33251923 DOI: 10.1177/0020764020975797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The content and nature of media reports could influence suicide prevention measures. AIM To evaluate contemporary online media reports' compliance with guidelines for responsible reporting of suicidal acts from Indian resources. METHODS We included English and Hindi articles for reports concerning suicide, published by local and national media sources for 30 consecutive days from the day of death of a celebrity by alleged suicide. The search was performed in Google News with predefined search queries and selection criteria. Two independent investigators did data extraction. Subsequently, each news report was assessed against guidelines for the responsible reporting of suicide by the WHO and the Press Council of India. RESULTS We identified 295 articles (Hindi n = 172, English n = 123). Results showed more than 80% of the media reports deviated from at least one criterion of the recommendations. A maximum breach was seen in the news article's headlines, sensational reportage and detailed suicide methods description. Significant differences were seen in the quality of English and Hindi reporting and reporting celebrity and noncelebrity suicide. Additional items revealed were reporting suicide pacts, linking multiple suicides in a single news report, allowing user-generated threads and linking Religion and suicide. CONCLUSION Measures are required to implement reporting recommendations in the framework of a national suicide prevention strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonika Raj
- University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Abhishek Ghosh
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Babita Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sonu Goel
- School of Public Health and Department of Community Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India
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22
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Kar SK, Padhy SK, Bhoi R, Pattnaik JI, Menon V. Quality of newspaper reporting of suicide in Odisha, India, against the World Health Organization guidelines. Indian J Psychiatry 2022; 64:80-83. [PMID: 35400754 PMCID: PMC8992751 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_398_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imbalanced media reporting of suicide may increase suicide risk among vulnerable individuals. AIM This study aims to assess the quality of suicide reporting in print newspapers of Odisha, a high suicide burden state in Eastern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed all eligible media reports of suicide in selected English and local language printed newspapers of Odisha between October 1, 2019, and September 30, 2020. Quality assessment was carried out against international as well as local reporting guidelines. RESULTS A total of 248 news reports were analyzed. Majority of the articles reported identifying details (such as name [74.2%], age [60.9%], and gender [98.4%] of deceased) as well as a detailed description about the suicide event (suicide method [87.5%] and location [84.3%]). More than half (54.8%) of the reports attributed suicide to a single cause. CONCLUSION Suicide reports in print newspapers of Odisha are poorly adherent to local and international suicide reporting guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Susanta Kumar Padhy
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Rosali Bhoi
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Jigyansa Ipsita Pattnaik
- Department of Psychiatry, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
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Arafat SMY, Menon V, Bascarane S, Kar SK, Kabir R. Variations in newspaper reporting of suicidal behavior in the WHO-South-East Asian region. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021; 43:e684-e688. [PMID: 32827040 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND South-East Asia is a densely populated region, comprising of 11 low- and middle-income countries and contributing to 39% of global suicides. There are serious challenges to suicide prevention in the region such as lack of high-quality suicide data, underreporting and poor quality of media reporting. The current report aimed to assess the variations in newspaper reporting of suicidal behavior in the World Health Organization-South-East Asian countries. METHODS We analyzed the contents of nine research articles on media reporting of suicide, published from four South-East Asian countries (four from Bangladesh, three from India, one each from Indonesia and Bhutan) that used similar methods and presented results in a nearly similar fashion. RESULTS Personal identifying information of the deceased was very frequently mentioned in the newspaper reports across the countries. Suicide notes were reported more commonly in India (9.5-18%) than Bangladesh (4.2-7.5%) and Indonesia (9.5%). No educative material was found in any of the newspaper reports of Bangladesh and Indonesia while it was rarely reported in Bhutan and India. CONCLUSION Our findings from the four South-East Asian countries suggest that there are variations between the countries while presenting the news reports of suicidal behavior. These findings would help to formulate and regulate the media guidelines for the specific country.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Yasir Arafat
- Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka 1340, Bangladesh
| | - Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Sharmi Bascarane
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Russell Kabir
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine, and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK
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Marthoenis, Htay MNN, Arafat SMY. Quality of online news reporting of suicidal behavior in Myanmar: Adherence to the World Health Organization reporting guidelines. Indian J Psychiatry 2021; 63:597-600. [PMID: 35136259 PMCID: PMC8793717 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_285_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Media reporting of suicide has an essential role in the suicidal behavior of the general population. AIMS The aim of this study is to assess the quality of online news reports of suicidal behavior in Myanmar against the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting guidelines. METHODS We performed a content analysis of all available suicide-related news reports published in vernacular online newspapers of Myanmar. RESULTS A total of 285 reports were analyzed, consisting of 87.4% suicides and 12.6% nonfatal suicidal attempts. Potentially, harmful information reported in the text includes the methods of suicide (100%), the word or term in Burmese related to suicide (89.5%), the name of the person (56.5%), life event (50.5%), and photo or suicidal person (17.9%). Meanwhile, helpful information such as prevention programs and the contact information for suicide services to the readers have been infrequently reported. CONCLUSION The study found that the newspaper reporting of suicide in Myanmar is grossly nonadherent to the WHO media guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthoenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Nursing, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Mila Nu Nu Htay
- Department of Community Medicine, Melaka-Manipal Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Melaka, Malaysia
| | - S M Yasir Arafat
- Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Savar Union, Bangladesh
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Nabila Ashraf M, Jennings H, Chakma N, Farzana N, Islam MS, Maruf T, Uddin MMJ, Uddin Ahmed H, McDaid D, Naheed A. Mental Health Issues in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Responses in Bangladesh: View Point of Media Reporting. Front Public Health 2021; 9:704726. [PMID: 34552906 PMCID: PMC8450332 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.704726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health has been reported by media throughout the world, although this role is not well-understood in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). We examined the reporting of mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh and initiatives undertaken to support mental health reported from the viewpoint of media. Methods: We reviewed articles published in 10 local newspapers, including seven Bangla and three English newspapers, during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. News topics were identified through discussions among the team members, with searches across online newspapers and portals. Data extrapolated from newspapers were documented in an Excel spreadsheet. A mixed-method approach was used following a framework analysis for analyzing data. Recurring issues and commonly emerging topics were generated from the data. Descriptive statistics were applied for analyzing quantitative data. Results: Between March 2020 and March 2021, we have identified 201 reports on mental health issues including 45 reports (22.4%) focused on stress due to the associated financial crisis, unemployment and loneliness, 50 reports (24.9%) of 80 apparent suicides linked to family issues, disharmony in conjugal relationships, harassment, sexual violence, emotional breakdown, financial crisis, and stigma due to COVID-19.There were 77 reports (38.3%) concerning domestic violence during the pandemic. Twenty-nine reports (14.4%) referenced actions taken by different organizations to address mental health issues in response to the pandemic in Bangladesh. Conclusion: News coverage has the scope to highlight important issues that can emerge as a consequence of the COVID-pandemic, such as mental health, in a low resource setting. Capacity building of the media on the way to report mental health issues during emergency situations could be a useful strategy for more credible reporting on mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic for raising awareness of the public and policymakers about the negative consequences on mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Adopting policies to support essential mental health care and promoting the local organizations to take timely public health measures will be imperative for averting the negative consequences of mental health due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mir Nabila Ashraf
- Initiative for Non-Communicable Diseases, Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Hannah Jennings
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York and Hull York Medical School, Heslington, United Kingdom
| | - Nantu Chakma
- Initiative for Non-Communicable Diseases, Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Noshin Farzana
- Initiative for Non-Communicable Diseases, Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Saimul Islam
- Initiative for Non-Communicable Diseases, Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Toufiq Maruf
- Bangladesh Health Reporters' Forum, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Daily Kaler Kantha, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - David McDaid
- Department of Health Policy, Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aliya Naheed
- Initiative for Non-Communicable Diseases, Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Balaji M, Patel V. Hunger, fear, and isolation - A qualitative analysis of media reports of COVID-19-related suicides in India. Indian J Psychiatry 2021; 63:467-482. [PMID: 34789935 PMCID: PMC8522606 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_100_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND India's suicide rates are among the highest in the world and may increase further as a consequence of COVID-19. There is a need to examine which pandemic related stressors may be contributing to suicide, in order to inform the deployment of suicide prevention strategies, for the current as well as future pandemics. AIM To understand pandemic related stressors contributing to suicide in India. METHODS We identified and conducted a thematic analysis of Internet media reports of COVID-19 related suicides in India between February 1, 2020 (2 days after the first COVID-19 case), and May 31, 2020, (the end of phase four of the nationwide lockdown). RESULTS Ten pandemic stressors spanning both disease and lockdown-related factors were identified in 291 suicides. Economic hardship was present in a third; other notable stressors were: fear of the virus; isolation; desperation to be connected with loved ones or return home; and craving for alcohol. Men and young people seemed particularly vulnerable to these stressors. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 related suicides appear to be precipitated by social and economic adversities, mainly associated with containment strategies. These findings need to be confirmed by national suicide data. Suicide prevention strategies should mitigate the impact of recognized stressors in the long term, target high-risk individuals, and offer mental health care alongside containment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhumitha Balaji
- Sangath, Goa, India.,Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Pune, Maharashtra, India.,Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Netherlands
| | - Vikram Patel
- Sangath, Goa, India.,Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Sil A, Sil A, Dhillon P, Mog M. Factors affecting External causes of deaths among adults (15–59 years) in South Indian states: A study using Bayesian model on National Family Health Survey-4 (2015–16) data. CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Vijayakumar L, Shastri M, Fernandes TN, Bagra Y, Pathare A, Patel A, Jain P, Merchant Y, Armstrong G, Pathare S. Application of a Scorecard Tool for Assessing and Engaging Media on Responsible Reporting of Suicide-Related News in India. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6206. [PMID: 34201213 PMCID: PMC8230035 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Each year there are more than 800,000 deaths by suicide across the world, while India alone accounts for one third of female suicides and one fourth of male suicides worldwide. Responsible media reporting of suicide is an important suicide prevention intervention at the population level. There is sufficient evidence to show that the way suicide is reported and portrayed in the media can have a significant impact on individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Recognizing the important role of the media in suicide prevention, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines for responsible reporting of suicides by the media. The Press Council of India, in 2019 endorsed WHO's guidelines for media reporting of suicides, however there is no evidence that the Indian media is complying with these guidelines. METHODS To encourage responsible media reporting, we developed a scorecard to assess and rate media reports on suicide. We reviewed several resource documents that contained guidelines on responsible reporting of suicide. After consulting with a team of experts, we arrived at a scorecard that consisted of 10 positive and 10 negative parameters. RESULTS We applied the scorecard to 1318 reports on suicide from 9 English language newspapers, with the highest readership in India between the dates of 1 April to 30 June 2020. For the articles analyzed, the average positive score across all newspapers was 1.32 and the average negative score was 3.31. DISCUSSION The scorecard can be a useful tool to assess media reports on suicide and provide metrics for the same. It can facilitate improved monitoring and engagement with media organizations, who can quickly check their own reporting compliance to the WHO guidelines and compare how well they are performing compared to their peers over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Vijayakumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Voluntary Health Services and SNEHA Suicide Prevention Centre, Tamil Nadu 600017, India
| | - Manisha Shastri
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune 411004, India; (M.S.); (T.N.F.); (Y.B.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.J.); (Y.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Tanya Nicole Fernandes
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune 411004, India; (M.S.); (T.N.F.); (Y.B.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.J.); (Y.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Yash Bagra
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune 411004, India; (M.S.); (T.N.F.); (Y.B.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.J.); (Y.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Aaryaman Pathare
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune 411004, India; (M.S.); (T.N.F.); (Y.B.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.J.); (Y.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Arpita Patel
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune 411004, India; (M.S.); (T.N.F.); (Y.B.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.J.); (Y.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Padam Jain
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune 411004, India; (M.S.); (T.N.F.); (Y.B.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.J.); (Y.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Yesha Merchant
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune 411004, India; (M.S.); (T.N.F.); (Y.B.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.J.); (Y.M.); (S.P.)
| | - Gregory Armstrong
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia;
| | - Soumitra Pathare
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune 411004, India; (M.S.); (T.N.F.); (Y.B.); (A.P.); (A.P.); (P.J.); (Y.M.); (S.P.)
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Menon V, Mani AM, Kurian N, Sahadevan S, Sreekumar S, Venu S, Kar SK, Arafat SMY. Newspaper reporting of suicide news in a high suicide burden state in India: Is it compliant with international reporting guidelines? Asian J Psychiatr 2021; 60:102647. [PMID: 33887673 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting evidence points to a substantial link between detailed media portrayals of suicide and imitative suicidal behaviour. We assessed the quality of media reporting of suicide in Kerala, a high suicide burden state in India against the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting guidelines. METHODS We conducted a year-round content analysis of all suicide-related news articles in four (two local language and two English) of the most widely read daily newspapers in Kerala. We used a data extraction form, prepared a priori in accordance with the WHO reporting checklist, and coded each item based on the guidelines. RESULTS A total of 377 suicide news articles were retrieved. Harmful reporting practices such as reporting the name (93.9 %) and age (93.6 %) of the deceased, method of suicide (93.1 %), location of suicide (88.9 %), monocausal explanations (48.8 %), and including photograph of the deceased (37.7 %) were commonly noted. On the other hand, less than a fifth of articles complied with helpful practices such as including details of suicide support helpline (19.1 %) or a link with mental health issues (14.9 %). Local language newspapers displayed more frequent violations in reporting compared to English newspapers. CONCLUSION Media reporting of suicide in Kerala, India is poorly adherent to international reporting guidelines, with very little focus on educating the public. These findings point to the need for framing comprehensive media reporting guidelines for India and a collaborative approach to highlight the primary role of media in suicide prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Menon
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India.
| | - Anu Mary Mani
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala, 680555, India
| | - Neetu Kurian
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolenchery, Kerala, 682311, India
| | - Sreeja Sahadevan
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolenchery, Kerala, 682311, India
| | - Sreeja Sreekumar
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolenchery, Kerala, 682311, India
| | - Sandesh Venu
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India
| | - Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226003, India
| | - S M Yasir Arafat
- Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, 1340, Bangladesh
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Armstrong G, Vijayakumar L, Cherian A, Krishnaswamy K, Pathare S. Indian media professionals' perspectives regarding the role of media in suicide prevention and receptiveness to media guidelines: a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e047166. [PMID: 34011600 PMCID: PMC8137173 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Crime reports of suicide incidents routinely feature in the Indian mass media, with minimal coverage of suicide as a broader public health issue. To supplement our recently published content analysis study, we undertook qualitative interviews to examine media professionals' perspectives and experiences in relation to media reporting of suicide-related news in India. DESIGN AND SETTING In 2017-2018, we undertook semistructured qualitative interviews with media professionals with experience reporting on suicide-related news. A semistructured interview guide was designed to initiate discussions around their perspectives and experiences in relation to reporting on suicide. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed, and a deductive and inductive approach to thematic analysis was used. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-eight interviews were undertaken with media professionals in Delhi, Chandigarh and Chennai. RESULTS A clear role for media in suicide prevention framed around educating and informing the public was articulated by several participants and a majority of participants also reported concerns and anecdotal accounts that their reporting may negatively influence vulnerable people in the population. Nonetheless, a fatalistic attitude towards suicide was evident among several participants including dismissing or minimising concerns around imitation suicides. Several participants also expressed doubts around the quality of suicide helplines in India and were hesitant to add such contact details to their reports. Participants were largely very receptive to the idea of developing voluntary media guidelines for the Indian context, although doubts were raised around compliance unless additional initiatives were taken to engage media professionals at the highest levels. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal the perspectives of media professionals operating in the Indian context and can be used to support constructive partnerships between media professionals and suicide prevention experts. There is a clear need for a genuine and sustained partnership between suicide prevention experts and media professionals at all levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Armstrong
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lakshmi Vijayakumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Voluntary Heath Services, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- SNEHA Suicide Prevention Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anish Cherian
- Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Soumitra Pathare
- Centre for Mental Health Law and Policy, Indian Law Society, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Lai K, Li D, Peng H, Zhao J, He L. Assessing Suicide Reporting in Top Newspaper Social Media Accounts in China: Content Analysis Study. JMIR Ment Health 2021; 8:e26654. [PMID: 33983127 PMCID: PMC8160790 DOI: 10.2196/26654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that suicide reporting in mainstream media has a significant impact on suicidal behaviors (eg, irresponsible suicide reporting can trigger imitative suicide). Traditional mainstream media are increasingly using social media platforms to disseminate information on public-related topics, including health. However, there is little empirical research on how mainstream media portrays suicide on social media platforms and the quality of their coverage. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the characteristics and quality of suicide reporting by mainstream publishers via social media in China. METHODS Via the application programming interface of the social media accounts of the top 10 Chinese mainstream publishers (eg, People's Daily and Beijing News), we obtained 2366 social media posts reporting suicide. This study conducted content analysis to demonstrate the characteristics and quality of the suicide reporting. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, we assessed the quality of suicide reporting by indicators of harmful information and helpful information. RESULTS Chinese mainstream publishers most frequently reported on suicides stated to be associated with conflict on their social media (eg, 24.47% [446/1823] of family conflicts and 16.18% [295/1823] of emotional frustration). Compared with the suicides of youth (730/1446, 50.48%) and urban populations (1454/1588, 91.56%), social media underreported suicides in older adults (118/1446, 8.16%) and rural residents (134/1588, 8.44%). Harmful reporting practices were common (eg, 54.61% [1292/2366] of the reports contained suicide-related words in the headline and 49.54% [1172/2366] disclosed images of people who died by suicide). Helpful reporting practices were very limited (eg, 0.08% [2/2366] of reports provided direct information about support programs). CONCLUSIONS The suicide reporting of mainstream publishers on social media in China broadly had low adherence to the WHO guidelines. Considering the tremendous information dissemination power of social media platforms, we suggest developing national suicide reporting guidelines that apply to social media. By effectively playing their separate roles, we believe that social media practitioners, health institutions, social organizations, and the general public can endeavor to promote responsible suicide reporting in the Chinese social media environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisheng Lai
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dan Li
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijuan Peng
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhao
- School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingnan He
- School of Communication and Design, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Big Data Analysis and Simulation of Public Opinion, Guangzhou, China
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Ransing R, Kar SK, Menon V, Mhamunkar A, Patil I, Arafat SY. Quality of newspaper reporting of suicidal behavior in Maharashtra, India. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/jpmh-08-2020-0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to evaluate the adherence of media reports of suicide published in vernacular language newspapers against the World Health Organization guidelines.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors performed a content analysis of all suicide-related news reports published in the seven most widely circulated vernacular newspapers of Maharashtra. News reports published from April 2020 to May 2020 were included.
Findings
Among the 355 retrieved suicide reports, 39.2% reports were placed at a prominent position of the newspaper, 92.8% mentioned the name of a person, 93.8% mentioned the method of suicide, while 56.0% reported monocausal explanations for suicide. In contrast, 20.8% of news reports acknowledged a link with mental health disorders, while 0.3% news reports provided information about suicide prevention programs, and 0.8% mentioned suicide-related statistics.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to report content analysis of suicide reports from Maharashtra state, which is one of the most developed states in India and has high rates of youth and farmer suicides.
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Lasota D, Mirowska-Guzel D, Goniewicz K. Analysis of Suicide Methods and Substances Influencing the State of Consciousness of Their Victims in Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:4936. [PMID: 34066358 PMCID: PMC8124387 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
An integral part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) mental health action plan for 2013-2020 is suicide prevention, and a 10% reduction in the suicide rate. A key element of the preventive measures taken is, among other things, limiting access to means enabling and facilitating committing suicide. However, this requires detailed knowledge of community suicide patterns and preferences. Unfortunately, such information is not usually collected, and the recorded method of committing suicide is often imprecise and untrue, which means that such knowledge has limited application in presuicidal prophylaxis. The statistical data on suicides recorded as part of the Police Statistics in Poland during the years 2009-2019 was analyzed. The analysis included suicide deaths and suicide attempts, taking into account the suicide methods and substances influencing the state of consciousness of their victims. The number of suicides in Poland in the analyzed period tended to increase. The most common method of suicide was hanging, and alcohol was the substance influencing the state of consciousness of suicide victims. The statistics for 2017-2019 showed the presence of new methods of suicide, such as taking drugs other than hypnotics, intoxication with narcotic drugs, poisoning with designer drugs, suffocation and self-immolation, as well as new psychoactive substances affecting the state of consciousness of victims, i.e., drugs and narcotic drugs. The effectiveness of actions taken in Poland in the field of suicide prevention does not bring the desired effects, as evidenced by growing number of suicides. This low effectiveness is mainly due to the lack of a national suicide prevention strategy. The effectiveness of these activities may be improved by creating a uniform database of suicides, which is a source of reliable information which will allow the taking of actions aimed at limiting the availability of means enabling and facilitating the committing of suicide. The study aimed to analyze the types of suicide methods and substances influencing the state of consciousness of their victims in Poland in the years covered by the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Lasota
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Dagmara Mirowska-Guzel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Krzysztof Goniewicz
- Department of Aviation Security, Military University of Aviation, 08521 Dęblin, Poland;
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Quarshie ENB, Andoh-Arthur J, Asante KO, Asare-Doku W. Online media reporting of suicidal behaviour in Ghana: Analysis of adherence to the WHO guidelines. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2021; 67:251-259. [PMID: 32418459 PMCID: PMC8107450 DOI: 10.1177/0020764020919787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irresponsible media reporting of suicide is a potential risk for copycat suicide. There is a paucity of studies from sub-Saharan Africa on the quality of media reporting of suicide. OBJECTIVES We assessed the compliance of Ghanaian online media outlets with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for media reporting of suicide. METHODS We searched 10 local media outlets with strong online presence in Ghana, to identify suicide-related news reports from 2000 through 2019. We applied summative content analysis and chi-square (χ2) test to the data. RESULTS We included 288 news reports, of which 261 (90.6%) were completed suicides, 7 (2.4%) were attempted suicides and 20 (6.9%) were homicide suicides. Most of the news reports failed to comply with the WHO guidelines: 92.7% mentioned the specific method of the suicide act, 82.6% included 'suicide' in the headline and 55.6% included photos of the victims. The χ2 tests indicated that privately owned media outlets were more likely than publicly owned to post a photo of the victim, χ2(1) = 17.37, p < .001, and report the incident location in the headline, χ2(1) = 15.00, p < .001. However, generally, there were no statistically significant relationships between the quality of reporting and media outlet ownership. Each of the 288 reports failed to mention any of the potentially helpful features recommended by the WHO guidelines. CONCLUSION Regardless of the ownership of the media outlet (whether private or publicly owned), mostly, the online reportage of suicidal behaviour in Ghana deviates sharply from the international recommended best practice by the WHO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie
- School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Centre for Suicide and Violence Research (CSVR), Accra, Ghana
| | - Johnny Andoh-Arthur
- Centre for Suicide and Violence Research (CSVR), Accra, Ghana.,Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwaku Oppong Asante
- Centre for Suicide and Violence Research (CSVR), Accra, Ghana.,Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Psychology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Winifred Asare-Doku
- Centre for Suicide and Violence Research (CSVR), Accra, Ghana.,School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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Olibamoyo O, Ola B, Coker O, Adewuya A, Onabola A. Trends and patterns of suicidal behaviour in Nigeria: Mixed-methods analysis of media reports from 2016 to 2019. S Afr J Psychiatr 2021; 27:1572. [PMID: 33824754 PMCID: PMC8008030 DOI: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v27i0.1572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Media coverage of suicides in Nigeria appears to be explicitly descriptive and deviates from the recommended best practice. Despite these shortcomings, verifiable information provided by these media outlets could arguably, at the minimum, mirror the reality of the trends and patterns of suicidal behaviour in Nigeria. AIM This study aimed to analyse the trends and patterns of suicidal behaviour in Nigeria using media reports from 2016 to 2019. We examined the effect of gender and age groups on these trends and patterns of suicidal behaviour. SETTING The study was carried out in Nigeria. METHODS Qualitative content analysis was used to assess the content of each verifiable suicide event. In total, 336 verified suicide-related events were selected from 4365 media reports. Quantitative data were collected on age, gender, type of suicidal behaviour, method, place and motivation for suicidal behaviour. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Fisher's exact test was used to examine the association between gender, age groups and other variables. p-value was set at ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Completed suicide was the most common reported suicidal behaviour. Hanging was the dominant reported method, followed by poisoning. Significant gender differences were observed between age groups (p < 0.001) and methods of suicidal behaviour (p < 0.001). Also, significant age differences were observed between the methods of suicidal behaviour (p < 0.001), places (p < 0.001) and motivations for suicidal behaviour (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The study confirms that there are gender and age differences in the trends and patterns of suicidal behaviour in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olushola Olibamoyo
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Bolanle Ola
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Olurotimi Coker
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Abiodun Adewuya
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria
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Arya V, Page A, Gunnell D, Armstrong G. Changes in method specific suicide following a national pesticide ban in India (2011-2014). J Affect Disord 2021; 278:592-600. [PMID: 33032030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper investigates whether declines in suicide by insecticide poisoning in India following a national ban on endosulfan in 2011were associated with changes in other methods of suicide and total suicide rates. METHOD Method-specific suicide rates between 2001-2014 were calculated using National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data by sex, age group and region, with observed rates compared to expected rates for the period post-2011. RESULTS There were an estimated 20,146 fewer male and 8,418 fewer female suicides by insecticide poisoning and 5542 fewer male and 2679 fewer female suicides by all other methods following the national endosulfan ban. Contemporaneously, an estimated 92% (23,812) of male and 60% (6,735) of female suicides prevented by insecticide poisoning and all other methods were offset to increases in suicides by hanging and other poisoning. Joinpoint regression indicated a decrease in suicide by insecticide poisoning following the endosulfan ban (annual percentage change (APC) of -12.18 among males and -11.89 among females between 2010-2014) while an increase in male suicide by hanging was noted between 2009-2014 (APC of 7.05). LIMITATION Suicide rates based on the NCRB data might be an underestimation of the true suicide rates. CONCLUSION Declines in suicide by insecticide poisoning were largely offset by an increase in hanging suicides among males, however, this phenomenon was much less prominent in females and contributed to declines in total female suicide rates. Prevention strategies must continue to focus on pesticide bans with simultaneous attention on hanging prevention policies to reduce overall suicide rates in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Arya
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Australia; International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), USA.
| | - Andrew Page
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Australia
| | - David Gunnell
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory Armstrong
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia
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Acosta FJ, Rodríguez CJ, Cejas MR, Ramallo-Fariña Y, Fernandez-Garcimartin H. Suicide Coverage in the Digital Press Media: Adherence to World Health Organization Guidelines and Effectiveness of Different Interventions Aimed at Media Professionals. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2020; 35:1623-1632. [PMID: 31469595 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2019.1654176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the characteristics of suicide news articles in the digital press, their adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, and the effectiveness of interventions. We assessed adherence, avoidability, frequency and typology of suicide news over a six-month period in the four main digital media outlets of the Canary Islands (Spain). A brief training and information package intervention to the Canary Islands media outlets was carried out. We compared the quality of media reporting at both the pre-intervention and post-intervention timepoints, and compared the quality of reporting at the post-intervention timepoint in Victoria (Australia), where media interventions have been well-resourced and running for several years. We evaluated 339 suicide news articles: 38 from the pre-intervention period, 64 from the post-intervention period, and 237 from Victoria. News articles showed a very low degree of adherence to WHO recommendations, especially to those recommendations thought to have a protective effect. Post-intervention news articles showed better adherence than pre-intervention ones, but lower than those of Victoria, where constant interventions have been developed for years. We conclude that adherence to WHO recommendations is low. Simple interventions aimed at media professionals can improve adherence. However, constant and complex interventions seem to be more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco J Acosta
- Service of Mental Health, General Management of Healthcare Programs, The Canary Islands Health Service
- Research Network on Health Services for Chronic Conditions (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute
- Department of Psychiatry, Insular University Hospital of Gran Canaria
| | - Carlos J Rodríguez
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Fuerteventura General Hospital
| | - María R Cejas
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of the Canary Islands
- University of La Laguna
| | - Yolanda Ramallo-Fariña
- Research Network on Health Services for Chronic Conditions (REDISSEC), Carlos III Health Institute
- Canary Foundation of Health Research (FUNCANIS)
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Rappai R, V Cherian A, Lukose A, Vijayakumar L. Suicide research in India: An overview of four decades. Asian J Psychiatr 2020; 53:102191. [PMID: 32593971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is a global phenomenon and a major public health concern and 'it is possibly preventable if it is well understood'. AIM The article is an attempt to understand 'suicide in India' with the existing literature and the lacuna for the four decades. METHODS The information is collected from 270 articles on suicide research in India, published in various electronic data bases and different official sites as surprisingly the nation is with highest suicide mortality rate among all regional countries. RESULTS The review shows an increase in the number of articles on suicide in India over the period of time. Though the suicide mortality rate in India is significantly high, the number of intervention studies remains very minimal. India's understanding about 'the concept' remains questionable as the data from different sources for the same time period shows a huge disparity. Sex, age, socio-economic status, substance abuse, mental illness, medical illness, psychological and environmental stressors etc make individuals vulnerable to end their lives. CONCLUSION Appropriate official documentation and more qualitative studies would help in understanding the phenomena better. Intervention studies and policy level changes are the need of the hour to save the nation from the dangerous 'iceberg of suicide'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rija Rappai
- Department of Psychiatric Social Wok, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Anish V Cherian
- Department of Psychiatric Social Wok, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India.
| | - Ammu Lukose
- Center for Community Mental Health, Mangalore, India
| | - Lakshmi Vijayakumar
- Department of Psychiatry, VHS, SNEHA (Suicide Prevention Agency), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; Hon Associate Professor, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Hon Associate Professor, University of Griffith, Southport, Australia
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Rajkumar RP. Suicides related to the COVID-19 outbreak in India: A pilot study of media reports. Asian J Psychiatr 2020; 53:102196. [PMID: 32534434 PMCID: PMC7274089 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Philip Rajkumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, 605 006, India.
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Sharma MK, Anand N, Vishwakarma A, Sahu M, Thakur PC, Mondal I, Singh P, Sj A, N S, Biswas A, R A, John N, Tapatrikar A, Murthy KD. Mental health issues mediate social media use in rumors: Implication for media based mental health literacy. Asian J Psychiatr 2020; 53:102132. [PMID: 32474344 PMCID: PMC7204703 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar Sharma
- SHUT Clinic (Service for Healthy use of Technology), National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Nitin Anand
- National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Akash Vishwakarma
- SHUT Clinic, Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Maya Sahu
- Department of Nursing, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Ishita Mondal
- Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Priya Singh
- SHUT Clinic, Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Ajith Sj
- SHUT Clinic, Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Suma N
- Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Ankita Biswas
- SHUT Clinic, Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Archana R
- Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Nisha John
- Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Ashwini Tapatrikar
- SHUT Clinic, Department of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Keshava D Murthy
- Department of Psychiatric Social Work, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Ganesh R, Singh S, Mishra R, Sagar R. The quality of online media reporting of celebrity suicide in India and its association with subsequent online suicide-related search behaviour among general population: An infodemiology study. Asian J Psychiatr 2020; 53:102380. [PMID: 32937236 PMCID: PMC7455521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The literature reports increased suicide rates among general population in the weeks following the celebrity suicide, known as the Werther effect. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines for responsible media reporting of suicide. The present study aimed to assess the quality of online media reporting of a recent celebrity suicide in India and its impact on the online suicide related search behaviour of the population. A total of 200 online media reports about Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide published between 14th to 20th June 2020 were assessed for quality of reporting following the checklist prepared using the WHO guidelines. Further, we examined the change in online suicide-seeking and help-seeking search behaviour of the population following celebrity suicide for the month of June using selected keywords. In terms of potentially harmful media reportage, 85.5 % of online reports violated at least one WHO media reporting guideline. In terms of potentially helpful media reportage, only 13 % articles provided information about where to seek help for suicidal thoughts or ideation. There was a significant increase in online suicide-seeking (U = 0.5, p < 0.05) and help-seeking (U = 6.5, p < 0.05) behaviour after the reference event, when compared to baseline. However, the online peak search interest for suicide-seeking was greater than help-seeking. This provides support for a strong Werther effect, possibly associated with poor quality of media reporting of celebrity suicide. There is an urgent need for taking steps to improve the quality of media reporting of suicide in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragul Ganesh
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Swarndeep Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Rajan Mishra
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Rajesh Sagar
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, 110029, India.
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Abstract
By providing information on help-seeking resources (HSR), Google's Suicide Prevention Results (SPR) fill a void, because less than 30% of news reports provide such information. This article addresses larger issues on media guidelines and suicide prevention. First, studies on the effects of providing HSR provide little support for a reduction in suicide. Second, research on the effects of other media guidelines often does not report the anticipated reductions in suicide. Third, although research does tend to support an increase in suicide after publicized suicides of celebrities, it does not necessarily happen for all categories of celebrity suicides. Fourth, there has been a lack of integration of (a) research on imitative effects of publicized suicides and (b) content analysis of stories' adherence to guidelines. Fifth, an associated puzzle is that (a) most research findings (64.2%) show no increase in suicide rates after suicide stories, while (b) most content analyses document widespread violations of media guidelines. Apparently, stories often violate media guidelines, but there is often no anticipated increase in suicide deaths. Rigorous research is needed to fully evaluate which media guidelines matter, and to determine the efficacy of Google's SPR program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Stack
- Department of Criminology, 3205 FAB, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.
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Armstrong G, Vijayakumar L, Cherian AV, Krishnaswamy K. "It's a battle for eyeballs and suicide is clickbait": The media experience of suicide reporting in India. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239280. [PMID: 32956423 PMCID: PMC7505452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Suicide rates in India are among the highest in the world, equating to over 200,000 suicide deaths annually. Crime reports of suicide incidents routinely feature in the Indian mass media, with minimal coverage of suicide as a broader public health issue. To supplement our recently published content analysis study, we undertook qualitative interviews to examine media professionals' perspectives and experiences in relation to media reporting of suicide-related news in India. Materials and methods In 2017–18, semi-structured qualitative interviews with twenty-eight print media and television media professionals with experience reporting on suicide-related news were undertaken across north (New Delhi and Chandigarh) and south (Chennai) India. A semi-structured interview guide was designed to initiate discussions around; 1) perspectives on why suicide incidents are regularly reported on by mass media in India, 2) a description of experiences and processes of covering suicide incidents on the crime beat; and 3) perspectives on the emergence of health reporter coverage of suicide. Interviews were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed. A deductive and inductive thematic analytic approach was used, supported by the use of NVivo. Results Suicides were typically seen as being highly newsworthy and of interest to the audience, particularly the suicides of high-status people and those who somewhat matched the middle-class profile of the core audience. Socio-cultural factors played a major role in determining the newsworthiness of a particular incident. The capacity to link a suicide incident to compelling social narratives, potentially detrimental social/policy issues, and placing the suicide as a form of protest/martyrdom increased newsworthiness. Reporters on the crime beat worked in close partnership with police to produce routine and simplified incident report-style coverage of suicide incidents, with the process influenced by: informal police contacts supporting the crime beat, the speed of breaking news, extremely tight word limits and a deeply fraught engagement with bereaved family members. It was articulated that a public health and/or mental health framing of suicide was an emerging perspective, which sought to focus more on broader trends and suicide prevention programs rather than individual incidents. Important challenges were identified around the complexity of adopting a mental health framing of suicide, given the perceived pervasive influence of socioeconomic and cultural issues (rather than individual psychopathology) on suicide in India. Conclusions Our findings delve into the complexity of reporting on suicide in India and can be used to support constructive partnerships between media professionals and suicide prevention experts in India. Policymakers need to acknowledge the socio-cultural context of suicide reporting in India when adapting international guidelines for the Indian media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Armstrong
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Lakshmi Vijayakumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Voluntary Health Services, Chennai, India
- SNEHA Suicide Prevention Centre, Chennai, India
| | - Anish V. Cherian
- Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
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Menon V, Kar SK, Varadharajan N, Kaliamoorthy C, Pattnaik JI, Sharma G, Mukherjee S, Shirahatti NB, Ransing R, Padhy SK, Arafat SMY. Quality of media reporting following a celebrity suicide in India. J Public Health (Oxf) 2020; 44:e133-e140. [PMID: 32939538 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Celebrity suicides have the potential to trigger suicide contagion, particularly when media reporting is detailed and imbalanced. We aimed to assess the quality of media reporting of suicide of a popular Indian entertainment celebrity against the World Health Organization (WHO) suicide reporting guidelines. METHODS Relevant news articles that reported the actor's suicide were retrieved from online news portals of regional and English language newspapers and television channels in the immediate week following the event. Deductive content analysis of these articles was done using a pre-designed data extraction form. RESULTS A total of 573 news articles were analyzed. Several breaches of reporting were noted in relation to mentioning the word 'celebrity' in the title of report (14.7%), inclusion of the deceased's photograph (88.5%), detailed descriptions of the method (50.4%) and location of suicide (70.6%); local language newspapers were more culpable than English newspapers. Helpful reporting characteristics such as mentioning warning signs (4.1%), including educational information (2.7%) and suicide support line details (14.0%) were rarely practiced. CONCLUSION Media reporting of celebrity suicide in India is imbalanced and poorly adherent to suicide reporting recommendations. Local language news reports display more frequent and serious violations in reporting as opposed to English news articles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Natarajan Varadharajan
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Charanya Kaliamoorthy
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Jigyansa Ipsita Pattnaik
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar 751019, Odisha, India
| | - Ginni Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Srijeeta Mukherjee
- Department of Psychiatry, MKCG Medical College, Brahmapur 760004, Odisha, India
| | - Nikhilesh B Shirahatti
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Ramdas Ransing
- Department of Psychiatry, BKL Walalwalkar Rural Medical College, Ratnagiri 415606, Maharashtra, India
| | - Susanta Kumar Padhy
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar 751019, Odisha, India
| | - S M Yasir Arafat
- Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka 1340, Bangladesh
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Arafat SY, Kar SK, Marthoenis M, Cherian AV, Vimala L, Kabir R. Quality of media reporting of suicidal behaviors in South-East Asia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.npbr.2020.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Adherence to World Health Organization guideline on suicide reporting by media in Taiwan: A surveillance study from 2010 to 2018. J Formos Med Assoc 2020; 120:609-620. [PMID: 32703697 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Significant associations between suicide behaviors and inappropriate suicide reports in the media have been reported. The study aimed to examine the quality of long-term suicide reports under surveillance by the Taiwan Suicide Prevention Center (TSPC). METHODS The TSPC conducted daily surveillance with timely feedback and interactive approaches with the media professionals. To examine the reporting trends under the surveillance, daily adherence to the 12-item World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines was analyzed for print media published between 2010 and 2018, and for online media in 2017 and 2018. The trend analysis using the Cochran-Armitage test was performed to estimate the significance of adherence changes. RESULTS In total, 5529 print reports and 16,445 person-event items from online media were reviewed. The number of suicide reports in print newspapers markedly decreased while it increased for online media. Surveillance of print media showed statistical significance of the improvement of reporting adherence to all guideline items except one item ("Do not publish photo or suicide notes"). Adherence rates were high (∼90%) for 6 of the 12 items over the study duration. Marked improvement was observed in three items: reporting details, giving simplistic reasons, and providing helpline resources. However, both "Highlight the alternatives to suicide" and "Work closely with health authorities to present the facts" items had the lowest adherence. Online media had similar findings and adherence profile as the print media. CONCLUSION The quality of suicide reports significantly improved in most WHO guideline items. Development of psychiatric-media liaisons may be beneficial for further improvement.
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Singh A, Saya GK, Menon V, Olickal JJ, Ulaganeethi R, Sunny R, Subramanian S, Kothari A, Chinnakali P. Prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan, attempts and its associated factors in selected rural and urban areas of Puducherry, India. J Public Health (Oxf) 2020; 43:846-856. [PMID: 32676659 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Union Territory of Puducherry has a high rate of suicide in India. This study aims to find the prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan and suicide attempts and the risk factors of suicidal behaviours. METHODS This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged 18 years and above in rural and urban areas of Puducherry, India. Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale questionnaire was used. Prevalence ratio was estimated to assess the factors associated. RESULTS The 12-month and lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation was reported to be 12.5% (95% CI: 10.4-15.0%) and 20% (95% CI: 17.4-22.9%), respectively. About 0.7% (95% CI: 0.3-1.5%) and 2.1% (95% CI: 1.2-3.3%) of the participants had suicide plan in past 12 months and ever in their lifetime, respectively. Around 1% (95% CI: 0.5-2.0%) and 5.7% (95% CI: 4.3-7.6%) of the participants had attempted suicide in past 12 months and ever in their lifetime, respectively. Family issues, physical abuse, unemployment and place of residence were significantly associated with suicidal ideation in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt were very high in the study area. Unemployment, physical abuse and family issues were significantly associated with suicidal behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aakanksha Singh
- ICMR-RUMC Project, St. Johns Research Institute, Bangalore 560034, India
| | - Ganesh Kumar Saya
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgradute Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgradute Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Jeby Jose Olickal
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgradute Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Revathi Ulaganeethi
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgradute Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India
| | - Roshina Sunny
- Association for Health Welfare in the Nilgiris (ASHWINI), Gudalur 605006, India
| | - Sadhana Subramanian
- Department of Clinical Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Ashutosh Kothari
- Division of Public Health Administration, National health Systems Resource Centre, New Delhi 110004, India
| | - Palanivel Chinnakali
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgradute Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry 605006, India
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Sumner SA, Burke M, Kooti F. Adherence to suicide reporting guidelines by news shared on a social networking platform. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:16267-16272. [PMID: 32631982 PMCID: PMC7368318 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2001230117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rates of suicide in the United States are at a more than 20-y high. Suicide contagion, or spread of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors through exposure to sensationalized and harmful content is a well-recognized phenomenon. Health authorities have published guidelines for news media reporting on suicide to help prevent contagion; however, uptake of recommendations remains limited. A key barrier to widespread voluntary uptake of suicide-reporting guidelines is that more sensational content is perceived to be more engaging to readers and thus enhances publisher visibility and engagement; however, no empirical information exists on the actual influence of adherence to safe-reporting practices on reader engagement. Hence, we conducted a study to analyze adherence to suicide-reporting guidelines on news shared on social media and to assess how adherence affects reader engagement. Our analysis of Facebook data revealed that harmful elements were prevalent in news articles about suicide shared on social media while the presence of protective elements was generally rare. Contrary to popular perception, closer adherence to safe-reporting practices was associated with a greater likelihood of an article being reshared (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10 to 1.27) and receiving positive engagement ("love" reactions) (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.26). Mean safe-reporting scores were lower in the US than other English-speaking nations and variation existed by publisher characteristics. Our results provide empirical evidence that improved adherence to suicide-reporting guidelines may benefit not only the health of individuals, but also support publisher goals of reach and engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Sumner
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341;
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Khasawneh A, Chalil Madathil K, Dixon E, Wiśniewski P, Zinzow H, Roth R. Examining the Self-Harm and Suicide Contagion Effects of the Blue Whale Challenge on YouTube and Twitter: Qualitative Study. JMIR Ment Health 2020; 7:e15973. [PMID: 32515741 PMCID: PMC7312265 DOI: 10.2196/15973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research suggests that direct exposure to suicidal behaviors and acts of self-harm through social media may increase suicidality through imitation and modeling, particularly in more vulnerable populations. One example of a social media phenomenon that demonstrates how self-harming behavior could potentially be propagated is the blue whale challenge. In this challenge, adolescents and young adults are encouraged to engage in self-harm and eventually kill themselves. OBJECTIVE This paper aimed to investigate the way individuals portray the blue whale challenge on social media, with an emphasis on factors that could pose a risk to vulnerable populations. METHODS We first used a thematic analysis approach to code 60 publicly posted YouTube videos, 1112 comments on those videos, and 150 Twitter posts that explicitly referenced the blue whale challenge. We then deductively coded the YouTube videos based on the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) safe messaging guidelines as a metric for the contagion risk associated with each video. RESULTS The thematic analysis revealed that social media users post about the blue whale challenge to raise awareness and discourage participation, express sorrow for the participants, criticize the participants, or describe a relevant experience. The deductive coding of the YouTube videos showed that most of the videos violated at least 50% of the SPRC safe and effective messaging guidelines. CONCLUSIONS These posts might have the problematic effect of normalizing the blue whale challenge through repeated exposure, modeling, and reinforcement of self-harming and suicidal behaviors, especially among vulnerable populations such as adolescents. More effort is needed to educate social media users and content generators on safe messaging guidelines and factors that encourage versus discourage contagion effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amro Khasawneh
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kapil Chalil Madathil
- Glenn Department of Civil Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States.,Department of Industrial Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Emma Dixon
- College of Information Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Pamela Wiśniewski
- Department of Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Heidi Zinzow
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Rebecca Roth
- Department of Psychology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
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Brandt Sørensen J, Pearson M, Armstrong G, Andersen MW, Weerasinghe M, Hawton K, Konradsen F. A Qualitative Analysis of Self-Harm and Suicide in Sri Lankan Printed Newspapers. CRISIS 2020; 42:56-63. [PMID: 32366170 PMCID: PMC8208295 DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: Media reporting may influence suicidal behavior. In-depth exploration of how self-harm and suicide are portrayed in newspaper articles in a middle-income country such as Sri Lanka is lacking. Aims: We aimed to explore how self-harm and suicide are portrayed in Sri Lankan printed newspapers. Method: Seven English- and Sinhala-language Sri Lankan newspapers were screened for articles reporting on self-harm and suicide (December 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015). A thematic analysis was conducted. Results: In the 78 articles identified for analysis, certain aspects were overemphasized (inappropriate behavior) and others underemphasized (alcohol and complexities of self-harm). Explanations of self-harm were one-sided and a suicide prevention narrative was lacking. Limitations: Another time-frame and inclusion of Tamil newspapers as well as social media and online publications would provide additional understanding. Conclusion: The study found an indication of simplistic reporting. Greater focus on prevention and a nuanced portrayal of self-harm could reduce stigma and imitative behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa Pearson
- School of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, The University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gregory Armstrong
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Manjula Weerasinghe
- Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
| | - Keith Hawton
- Centre for Suicide Research, University of Oxford, UK
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