The UK led the way in safer suicide reporting with the introduction of the Samaritans’ media guidelines 30 years ago.

But, says the charity’s Lorna Fraser, pictured, journalists can go further to help save a life.

Global research into the effects of suicide reporting, carried out over the last six decades, links press reporting of suicide with both falls and rises in suicide rates – depending on how the topic is covered. This strong evidence base forms the foundation of Samaritans’ media guidelines, which the charity first launched 30 years ago.

The suicide prevention charity was one of the first in the world to publish guidelines on reporting suicide and self-harm, in a bid to offer useful advice for journalists covering these difficult topics which could in turn play a part in preventing people from taking their own life.

Some journalists will be familiar with the body of research known as the Werther Effect, where a depicted suicide can serve as a model for imitative behaviour. This phenomenon of news reports leading to what is known as “suicide contagion” was first witnessed in the 1800s. Goethe’s novel, ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther’ in which the protagonist takes his own life, led to a series of imitative suicides, which resulted in the book being banned in several countries.

The evidence shows that exposure to coverage which details suicide methods and locations and is widespread or sensational, can influence those who identify with the person who has died, leading to an increased risk of suicidal behaviour.

A summary study into media reporting of celebrity suicides found that there is an average 13% increase in suicide rates in the 1-2 months after the death is reported, which rises to 32% if the suicide method is reported. Publishing details of suicide methods which are novel, highly lethal or easily accessible are particularly high-risk.

Lesser known, but equally important, is another body of research into media reporting of suicide known as the Papageno Effect. Named after a character in Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute who chooses to live after being presented with alternatives to dying by suicide.

This area of research shows that positive reports of suicide, for example focusing on people overcoming suicidal crises, can have a protective influence. Stories describing a person seeking help and coming through a difficult time can serve to remind others, who may be struggling to cope, that suicide is preventable and that recovery is possible. These stories encourage people to seek help and have been linked to decreases in suicide rates, so can be a powerful counter-balance to news stories which predominantly focus on deaths by suicide.

Media stories can also play a significant role in preventing suicide by improving people’s understanding of issues like the many contributing risk factors for suicide, how to spot the signs indicating a person may be struggling to cope and how to start a potentially lifesaving conversation.

While many journalists in the UK do take great care with covering suicide, the fast-paced nature of online news reporting, and in particular the rise of citizen journalism, can lead to harmful details being included in stories, particularly when it comes to high-profile suicides and those which happen in a public space.

My team has been monitoring news reporting in the UK since 2012 and our data shows that the way suicide is reported has improved over the years, with fewer articles now including suicide methods in a headline and more signposting to sources of support.

However, we believe we could help journalists to do even more to remind people that suicide is preventable by publishing more positive stories about suicide and mental health to challenge the societal assumption that death by suicide is an inevitable outcome.

We’ve delivered training to more than 100 different publications and around 1000 journalists. These give reporters the chance to see the research and explore the areas they find challenging, as well as the important role they can play in suicide prevention. So often when we speak to reporters, they are surprised to learn the impact their articles can have on a vulnerable reader – both good and bad.

As well as working with press in the UK, Samaritans works closely with research experts in media portrayals of suicide across the globe and it’s heartening to know that from a global point of view, the UK press is leading the way in terms of responsible reporting of suicide, particularly with reporting novel method suicides.

As we mark our media guidelines’ 30^th anniversary, we’re keen to build on these strong foundations with journalists so they can feel more supported to cover the sensitive subject of suicide.

Talking about suicide is an important part of tackling its stigma and encouraging readers who might be struggling to seek support. The way a journalist writes a story has an impact and by writing responsibly, with stories of hope and recovery, it could even save a life.

With suicide rates in England and Wales currently at their highest in over 20 years, there’s no doubt the media can play an important role to help reverse this worrying trend.

* Lorna Fraser is Head of Media Advisory Services at Samaritans. For any journalists who would like support on reporting suicide and self-harm or if they would like to arrange a training session, they can contact Samaritans’ Media Advisory Service on [email protected] or read more here.

The sessions cover; suicide rates and high-risk groups, suicide ideation and contagion – a psychological insight, findings from global research into media reporting including stories that support public understanding and encourage help-seeking, common challenges faced by journalists such as youth and high-profile deaths,  resources available to journalists including resources to support journalists’ wellbeing.

Samaritans has also published guidance on Working With People Bereaved by Suicide and is about to issue a new guide for journalists on Working With People with Lived Experience of Suicide. These are areas that require very sensitive handling and can be particularly challenging.