Moving with the times: Mindframe’s revised
guidelines for media reporting of suicide and mental illness
Tegan Cotterill @MindframeMediawww.mindframe-media.info
Mindframe National Media Initiative
The Mindframe National Media Initiative collaborates with the Australian media and other sectors to encourage responsible, accurate and sensitive portrayal of mental illness and suicide.With the aim of:• Promoting suicide prevention and mental
health promotion• Reducing risk to audiences• Decreasing stigma and discrimination
associated with mental illness. www.mindframe-media.info @MindframeMedia
Mindframe National Media Initiative
The Mindframe Approach
www.mindframe-media.info @MindframeMedia
• New media book • Quick reference cards• Guide for journalism
self-care • Updated website.
New Mindframe media resources
www.mindframe-media.info @MindframeMedia
www.mindframe-media.info @MindframeMedia
Reporting inaccurate or negative information about mental illness:
• Promotes stigma
• Perpetuates negative and inaccurate beliefs about mental illness
Positive reporting does not appear to balance negative media portrayals
Impact of media reporting of mental illness
www.mindframe-media.info @MindframeMedia
Mindframe principles - mental illnessStories about mental illness can inform and reduce stigma by:• Providing accurate information• Using appropriate language• Avoiding negative stereotypes• Promoting help-seeking information • Providing support to spokespeople
with lived experience.
• Reporting about suicide deaths has been associated with increased rates of suicide and suicide attempts using the same method or location and increased rates of suicide overall.
• People vulnerable to suicide may be drawn to stories about suicide and negatively impacted by these.
www.mindframe-media.info @MindframeMedia
Impact of media reporting of suicide
www.mindframe-media.info @MindframeMedia
Risk generally increases when reporting:• Details method and location• Sensationalises suicide• Is prominent and repeated • Focuses on an individual who has
died (especially celebrities) • Glamourises or glorifies the
death
Impact of media reporting of suicide
The media has a role to play in raising awareness of suicide as a public health issue and prevention behaviourTo decrease risk it may be helpful to: • Provide context• Frame suicide as a tragic, avoidable loss • Focus on the negative impact on others• Explore stories of overcoming suicidal
ideation• Promote help-seeking information
www.mindframe-media.info @MindframeMedia
Mindframe principles - suicide
The Mindframe resources will soon include • Tips for reporting on people bereaved by
suicide • Updated recommendations for reporting on
issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Intersex.
• A new Mindframe app• Updated resources for the mental health and
suicide prevention sectors.www.mindframe-media.info @MindframeMedia
Coming soon