(New) Media and Suicide(New) Media and Suicide

““As long as people are able to communicate, it As long as people are able to communicate, it would be impossible to eliminate contagion would be impossible to eliminate contagion entirely”entirely” (Sudak, Sudak, 2005, p. 497)(Sudak, Sudak, 2005, p. 497)[1][1]..

Lucia DavisLucia DavisResource Development & Community Liaison CoordinatorResource Development & Community Liaison Coordinator

PO Box 10051, Dominion Rd, AucklandPO Box 10051, Dominion Rd, AucklandPhone (09) 300 7036 Mob: (021) 676 322Phone (09) 300 7036 Mob: (021) 676 322

lucia@spinz.org.nzlucia@spinz.org.nz

Fiona McAleveyFiona McAleveySouth Community LiaisonSouth Community Liaison

Phone (03) 366 6910 Cellphone (021) 572225Phone (03) 366 6910 Cellphone (021) 572225fiona@spinz.org.nzfiona@spinz.org.nz

Working to reduce suicide by providing high quality information.Working to reduce suicide by providing high quality information. Making mental health everybody’s business.Making mental health everybody’s business.

4th National Suicide Prevention Symposium, Dunedin, 28 & 29 4th National Suicide Prevention Symposium, Dunedin, 28 & 29 November 2006,November 2006,

'Understanding Suicidal Behaviour - update your knowledge and 'Understanding Suicidal Behaviour - update your knowledge and practice'practice'

www.spinz.org.nzwww.spinz.org.nz

Media and SuicideMedia and Suicide

““Media can help or hinder suicide prevention Media can help or hinder suicide prevention efforts by being an avenue for public education or efforts by being an avenue for public education or by exacerbating suicide risk by glamorising suicide by exacerbating suicide risk by glamorising suicide or promoting it as a solution to life’s problems” or promoting it as a solution to life’s problems” [2][2]

NZSPS: “Research evidence has shown that some NZSPS: “Research evidence has shown that some styles of media reporting and portrayal of suicide styles of media reporting and portrayal of suicide

and suicidal behavior may, under some and suicidal behavior may, under some circumstances, increase suicide rates through circumstances, increase suicide rates through

encouragement of ‘copycat’ suicide and trough the encouragement of ‘copycat’ suicide and trough the normalization of suicide as an acceptable response normalization of suicide as an acceptable response

to adversity”to adversity”

Media and SuicideMedia and Suicide Media reporting of suicide may not affect the Media reporting of suicide may not affect the

majority of us; however people in despair are majority of us; however people in despair are often unable to identify solutions to their often unable to identify solutions to their problems and may be influenced by what they problems and may be influenced by what they read, view or hear. The effect may be more read, view or hear. The effect may be more profound if someone feels able to identify with profound if someone feels able to identify with the person who died, perhaps because they are in the person who died, perhaps because they are in the same age group or share similar experiences the same age group or share similar experiences or ideals. or ideals.

An explicit report, particularly one which provides An explicit report, particularly one which provides details about the method of self-harm, may details about the method of self-harm, may increase the risk (or chance) that those who are increase the risk (or chance) that those who are vulnerable may take a similar course of actionvulnerable may take a similar course of action[3][3]..

HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN?HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN? (Case Study)(Case Study)

John had grown up in a family that moved around every year, John had grown up in a family that moved around every year, had experienced serious physical abuse and was struggling had experienced serious physical abuse and was struggling with reading. with reading.

By 14 he was using alcohol and other drugs to escape his pain. By 14 he was using alcohol and other drugs to escape his pain.

He felt miserable most of the time with regular outbursts of He felt miserable most of the time with regular outbursts of uncontrolled anger. uncontrolled anger.

His girlfriend had publicly dumped him the previous week. John His girlfriend had publicly dumped him the previous week. John thought of suicide but rejected the idea as cowardice until thought of suicide but rejected the idea as cowardice until he read an article about the funeral of a young person who he read an article about the funeral of a young person who completed suicide.completed suicide.

Media and Suicide – Case StudyMedia and Suicide – Case Study Already existing suicide risk:Already existing suicide risk:

John has experienced long term John has experienced long term difficulties, perhaps mental difficulties, perhaps mental illness and current stressful illness and current stressful events. His risk for suicidal events. His risk for suicidal behaviour is already heightened;behaviour is already heightened;

Identification:Identification: John reads that John reads that the young person had dropped the young person had dropped out of school, was using alcohol out of school, was using alcohol and had broken up with his and had broken up with his partner The more details he partner The more details he reads, the bigger the reads, the bigger the identification with the person identification with the person who died;who died;

• Good option:Good option: Many people at the funeral spoke Many people at the funeral spoke about what a cool person he was and how much he was about what a cool person he was and how much he was missed. His mates organized a guard of honour for him. missed. His mates organized a guard of honour for him. If the article presents the death as heroic, romantic or If the article presents the death as heroic, romantic or something that the young person couldn’t escape from, something that the young person couldn’t escape from, John might think that this will work for him too. The John might think that this will work for him too. The more glamorized the funeral, the more appealing the more glamorized the funeral, the more appealing the scenario is for John;scenario is for John;

• ReinforcementReinforcement:: The greater the number of The greater the number of media reports, the greater the likelihood of imitation.media reports, the greater the likelihood of imitation.

Examples of ResearchExamples of Research

A 1995 study of coverage in Australian newspapers found that A 1995 study of coverage in Australian newspapers found that rates of male suicide increased following reports of suicide, rates of male suicide increased following reports of suicide, with actual male suicides peaking on the third day after the with actual male suicides peaking on the third day after the story appearedstory appeared[4][4];;

There were 22 suicides on the Vienna underground in the 18 There were 22 suicides on the Vienna underground in the 18 months after the sensational media coverage of one incident in months after the sensational media coverage of one incident in 1986 (twice the total for the previous three years). The figures 1986 (twice the total for the previous three years). The figures dropped dramatically after the media agreed voluntarily to dropped dramatically after the media agreed voluntarily to limit the coverage for a timelimit the coverage for a time[5][5]. .

Examples of ResearchExamples of Research

In Hong Kong, when publicity was given to an unusual In Hong Kong, when publicity was given to an unusual method of suicide in 1998, nine similar cases were reported method of suicide in 1998, nine similar cases were reported within a month. Two months later it had become the third within a month. Two months later it had become the third most common method, and within two years it was the most common method, and within two years it was the second most common method. A study of the first 100 second most common method. A study of the first 100 cases revealed similarities between the age, marital status, cases revealed similarities between the age, marital status, mental state and financial problems of all those who died mental state and financial problems of all those who died and those reported in the mediaand those reported in the media[6][6]..

In US, during a journalists’ strike in the 1960s, when there In US, during a journalists’ strike in the 1960s, when there were no newspapers to report suicides, some evidence were no newspapers to report suicides, some evidence emerged of a drop in suicide attempts among womenemerged of a drop in suicide attempts among women[7][7]..

New mediaNew media

People use internet for: People use internet for:

InformationInformation

Social interactionsSocial interactions

Information Information

About socially sensitive topicsAbout socially sensitive topics

Social interactionsSocial interactions

Many people report a greater Many people report a greater willingness to share thoughts and willingness to share thoughts and feelings online than they would face feelings online than they would face in face-to-face situationsin face-to-face situations

Internet and AdolescentsInternet and Adolescents a US perspectivea US perspective

Computer access and use among adolescents have grown Computer access and use among adolescents have grown exponentially over the past decade (Becker, 2000)exponentially over the past decade (Becker, 2000)

More than 80% of American youth 12 to 17 years use the Internet, More than 80% of American youth 12 to 17 years use the Internet, and nearly half log on daily (Lenhart, Madden, & Hitlin, 2005)and nearly half log on daily (Lenhart, Madden, & Hitlin, 2005)

Adolescents use the internet primarily for social reasons (Roberts, Adolescents use the internet primarily for social reasons (Roberts, Foehr, & Rideout, 2005)Foehr, & Rideout, 2005)

The internet has become a virtual meeting place where teens The internet has become a virtual meeting place where teens hang out with their peers to pass timehang out with their peers to pass time

Many adolescents reportedly prefer being online to other media, Many adolescents reportedly prefer being online to other media, including the telephone, TV, and radio (Gallup Survey, 2002)including the telephone, TV, and radio (Gallup Survey, 2002)

More than 50% of teens possess more than one e-mail address or More than 50% of teens possess more than one e-mail address or screen name, which they can use to send private messages to screen name, which they can use to send private messages to friends or to participate anonymously in online forums, such as friends or to participate anonymously in online forums, such as chat roomschat rooms

Search term ‘suicide’Search term ‘suicide’Searching the Internet using search term such “suicide” opens Searching the Internet using search term such “suicide” opens

thousands of sites. thousands of sites.

(1) provisions of constructive and useful information aimed (1) provisions of constructive and useful information aimed at providing greater understanding of the reasons for at providing greater understanding of the reasons for suicidal behavioursuicidal behaviour

(2) advice and information for people seeking help with (2) advice and information for people seeking help with dealing with suicidal thoughtsdealing with suicidal thoughts

(3) “chat rooms” (allowing discussions between individuals) (3) “chat rooms” (allowing discussions between individuals) or newsgroups (enabling people to post messages on or newsgroups (enabling people to post messages on electronic news boards to which anybody may respond) electronic news boards to which anybody may respond)

(4) finally, there are sites that encourage suicides and/or (4) finally, there are sites that encourage suicides and/or provide instructions on suicide methods (Hawton, Kathryn, provide instructions on suicide methods (Hawton, Kathryn, 2005)2005)

examplesexamples

www.debxena.co.nzwww.debxena.co.nzSuicide is the only sane thing the young or old ever do in this life.Suicide is the only sane thing the young or old ever do in this life.

- quoted in - quoted in Mark Twain: God' s FoolMark Twain: God' s Fool, Hamlin Hill, Hamlin Hill[8][8]

www.satanservice.org explains in detail “how to kill yourself”:www.satanservice.org explains in detail “how to kill yourself”: “ “Suicide is hard work, and should not be undertaken lightly. It's Suicide is hard work, and should not be undertaken lightly. It's

easy to do it badly, or make rookie mistakes. As with many easy to do it badly, or make rookie mistakes. As with many things, the best results are achieved by thorough research and things, the best results are achieved by thorough research and careful preparationcareful preparation[9][9]”.”.

Other sites cited by Lars Mehlum (2000) are “A Practical Guide to Other sites cited by Lars Mehlum (2000) are “A Practical Guide to Suicide”, “Death Net”, “Suicide Web”, “Church of Euthanasia”, Suicide”, “Death Net”, “Suicide Web”, “Church of Euthanasia”, “Voluntary Human Extinction Movement”, “Alt.suicide.holiday”.“Voluntary Human Extinction Movement”, “Alt.suicide.holiday”.

impactimpactLars Mehlum (2000) was the first to report about Lars Mehlum (2000) was the first to report about

the relationship between Internet, Suicide and the relationship between Internet, Suicide and Suicide Prevention: Suicide Prevention:

the Norwegian case: the Norwegian case:

two people (a 17 years old girl from a town in the two people (a 17 years old girl from a town in the southern part of Austria and a man in his twenties southern part of Austria and a man in his twenties from a town in western Norway) made contact from a town in western Norway) made contact through one of several Internet discussion groups through one of several Internet discussion groups on the subject of suicide. They met and put their on the subject of suicide. They met and put their lives to an end at the bottom of a 600 meter high lives to an end at the bottom of a 600 meter high cliff on the West Coast of Norwaycliff on the West Coast of Norway[10][10]. .

Merike Sisask, Airi Varnik and Danuta Merike Sisask, Airi Varnik and Danuta Wasserman analysed seven Internet media Wasserman analysed seven Internet media portrayals and 188 readers’ spontaneous portrayals and 188 readers’ spontaneous Internet comments about a case of two Internet comments about a case of two adolescents who survived a serious suicide adolescents who survived a serious suicide attempt in Estonia. attempt in Estonia.

All media reporting were dramatic, All media reporting were dramatic, sensational, presenting photos from the “hot sensational, presenting photos from the “hot spot” chosen. They displayed very spot” chosen. They displayed very superficial, if any, aspects of suicide superficial, if any, aspects of suicide prevention. prevention.

The media has been found to have an The media has been found to have an attitude forming impact: more than half of attitude forming impact: more than half of the comments on irresponsible media the comments on irresponsible media portrayal expressed a negative attitude portrayal expressed a negative attitude towards attempted suicide, suicide towards attempted suicide, suicide attempters, and their families, being ironic attempters, and their families, being ironic (31%), and angry (28%).(31%), and angry (28%).

The Virtual Cutting Edge: the Internet The Virtual Cutting Edge: the Internet and Adolescent Self-Injuryand Adolescent Self-Injury

Janis L. Whitlock, Jane L. Powers, and John Janis L. Whitlock, Jane L. Powers, and John EckenrodeEckenrode

Two studies which investigate how Two studies which investigate how adolescents solicit and share information adolescents solicit and share information related to self-injurious behaviourrelated to self-injurious behaviour

ResultsResults Internet message boards Internet message boards

provide a powerful vehicle provide a powerful vehicle for bringing together self-for bringing together self-injurious adolescentsinjurious adolescents

People exchange support, People exchange support, share personal stories share personal stories about daily life events, and about daily life events, and voice opinions and ideasvoice opinions and ideas

Online sharing may Online sharing may encourage greater and encourage greater and more truthful disclosures, more truthful disclosures, especially among self-especially among self-injurers, many of whom injurers, many of whom suffer from symptoms of suffer from symptoms of depressiondepression

The less positive sideThe less positive side Participation in self-injury message boards may also expose Participation in self-injury message boards may also expose

individuals to a subculture in which self-injury is normalized individuals to a subculture in which self-injury is normalized and encouraged and encouraged

Easy access to a virtual subculture of like-minded others may Easy access to a virtual subculture of like-minded others may reinforce the behaviour for a much larger number of reinforce the behaviour for a much larger number of individualsindividuals

Some message boards contain links to pro-self-injury Websites Some message boards contain links to pro-self-injury Websites where Internet users can purchase articles such as bracelets where Internet users can purchase articles such as bracelets or clothing that signify self injury status and cutting clubs have or clothing that signify self injury status and cutting clubs have been rumored to be a growing form of friendship ritualbeen rumored to be a growing form of friendship ritual

Discussions of techniques sharing, triggers, negative attitudes Discussions of techniques sharing, triggers, negative attitudes toward formal or informal help seeking, and the pleasures and toward formal or informal help seeking, and the pleasures and pains of self-injury addiction may influence behavioural pains of self-injury addiction may influence behavioural choices outside of the virtual realmchoices outside of the virtual realm

It may also make some youth targets for individuals who It may also make some youth targets for individuals who falsely pose as supporters to accomplish other, less falsely pose as supporters to accomplish other, less benevolent aims benevolent aims

Coroners Act 2006  038 Coroners Act 2006  038 (Commenced: 1 July (Commenced: 1 July 2007)2007)

71 Restrictions on making public of details of self-inflicted 71 Restrictions on making public of details of self-inflicted deathsdeaths

If a coroner has found a death to be self-inflicted, no person may, If a coroner has found a death to be self-inflicted, no person may, without a coroner's authority or permission under section 72, make without a coroner's authority or permission under section 72, make public a particular of the death other than: public a particular of the death other than:

(a) the name, address, and occupation of the person (a) the name, address, and occupation of the person concerned; andconcerned; and

(b) the fact that the coroner has found the death to be (b) the fact that the coroner has found the death to be self-inflicted. self-inflicted.

The only grounds on which a coroner may under this section The only grounds on which a coroner may under this section authorise the making public of particulars of the death are that the authorise the making public of particulars of the death are that the making public of particulars of that kind is unlikely to be making public of particulars of that kind is unlikely to be detrimental to public safety.detrimental to public safety.

Australia:Australia:

Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Act 2005Offences) Act 2005

It is an offence to use the Internet, email and other It is an offence to use the Internet, email and other online application to:online application to:

•access, transmit, make available, publish or access, transmit, make available, publish or distribute material with the intention to directly or distribute material with the intention to directly or indirectly counsel or incite suicideindirectly counsel or incite suicide

•directly or indirectly promote or provide instruction directly or indirectly promote or provide instruction on a particular method of completing suicide on a particular method of completing suicide

New Zealand Suicide Prevention New Zealand Suicide Prevention StrategyStrategy

Goal 5:Goal 5: Promote the safe Promote the safe reporting and portrayal of reporting and portrayal of suicidal behavior by the media suicidal behavior by the media (including print, television, film (including print, television, film radio, drama, internet) to radio, drama, internet) to minimize the potential for minimize the potential for imitationimitation

The implementation of this The implementation of this goal will require goal will require joint joint strategies with the mediastrategies with the media to build an informed to build an informed consensus upon which to consensus upon which to develop resources, and develop resources, and agreed-upon codes of practice agreed-upon codes of practice and policies for the safe and and policies for the safe and informative media reporting informative media reporting and portrayal of suicideand portrayal of suicide

Safety netSafety net

What do we What do we need? need?

More ResearchMore Research

To better understand the unique role To better understand the unique role the Internet may play in affecting off-the Internet may play in affecting off-line behaviourline behaviour

To better understand the To better understand the relationship: internet (globalization) – relationship: internet (globalization) – suicide – suicide preventionsuicide – suicide prevention

LegislationLegislation

To be proactiveTo be proactive if public suicide portrayal provides if public suicide portrayal provides

a model, the modelling process can a model, the modelling process can lead ambivalent individuals not only lead ambivalent individuals not only toward suicide, but also toward life: toward suicide, but also toward life:

“…“…articles about suicide behaviour on articles about suicide behaviour on the Internet attract public the Internet attract public attention… the Internet can be attention… the Internet can be used both as a source for data used both as a source for data collection and as means for suicide collection and as means for suicide prevention… the Internet can be prevention… the Internet can be seen as one possible way to reach seen as one possible way to reach young people. Suicide prevention young people. Suicide prevention by intervening in spontaneous by intervening in spontaneous Internet site comments in a Internet site comments in a professional way may well be an professional way may well be an avenue to educate this group” avenue to educate this group” (Sisask, Varnik, Wasserman, 2005, p. 96)(Sisask, Varnik, Wasserman, 2005, p. 96)[13][13]..

in 2002, the German Society of Suicide in 2002, the German Society of Suicide Prevention chose the theme Prevention chose the theme

““New media and suicidality” for their New media and suicidality” for their biannual meetingbiannual meeting

Fantastic opportunities in suicide Fantastic opportunities in suicide prevention came out of it: prevention came out of it: • emailemail• chat and SMS counselling chat and SMS counselling • websites in the frame of a suicide websites in the frame of a suicide prevention programprevention program• online-therapy with webcamonline-therapy with webcam• antidepressive psychotherapy via antidepressive psychotherapy via InternetInternet• advertisement strategy for new target advertisement strategy for new target groups for suicide prevention in the groups for suicide prevention in the Internet Internet [14]

ReferencesReferences [1][1] Sudak, H.S., Sudak, D.M., (2005). Sudak, H.S., Sudak, D.M., (2005). The Media and SuicideThe Media and Suicide, Academy Psychiatry 2005; , Academy Psychiatry 2005;

29: 495-499, http://ap.psychiatryonline.org29: 495-499, http://ap.psychiatryonline.org [2][2] Mann, J.J et all. Suicide prevention Strategies, Mann, J.J et all. Suicide prevention Strategies, JAMAJAMA, October 26, 2005 – Vol 294, No , October 26, 2005 – Vol 294, No

16 (reprinted)16 (reprinted) [3][3] Hunter Institute for mental Health, Hunter Institute for mental Health, Response Ability, Resources for Journalism Response Ability, Resources for Journalism

Education. Education. Commonwealth of Australia, National Suicide Prevention Strategy, 2001Commonwealth of Australia, National Suicide Prevention Strategy, 2001 [4][4]Hassan, R. Effects of newspaper stories on the incidence of suicide in Australia: a Hassan, R. Effects of newspaper stories on the incidence of suicide in Australia: a

research note. research note. Australian and New Zealand Journal of PsychiatryAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 1995; 29(3), 480-483 1995; 29(3), 480-483 [5] Etzersdorfer E., Sonneck, G. Preventing Suicide by Influencing Mass-Media Reporting: [5] Etzersdorfer E., Sonneck, G. Preventing Suicide by Influencing Mass-Media Reporting:

the Viennese experience 1980-1996the Viennese experience 1980-1996.. Archives of Suicide Research Archives of Suicide Research 1998; (1), 67-741998; (1), 67-74 [6] Chung, W.S.D., Leung, C.M. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning as a New Method of Suicide in [6] Chung, W.S.D., Leung, C.M. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning as a New Method of Suicide in

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Psychiatric ServicesPsychiatric Services 2001; vol.52. no.6 2001; vol.52. no.6 [7] Blumenthal, S., Bergner, L. Suicide and Newspapers: A Replicated Study. [7] Blumenthal, S., Bergner, L. Suicide and Newspapers: A Replicated Study. American American

Journal of PsychiatryJournal of Psychiatry 1973; 130:468-471 1973; 130:468-471 [8][8] http://http://www.debxena.co.nz/suicide_quotes.htmwww.debxena.co.nz/suicide_quotes.htm, 2000, date accessed: 15 august,2006, 2000, date accessed: 15 august,2006 [9][9] http://www.satanservice.org/coe/suicide/metaguide.html http://www.satanservice.org/coe/suicide/metaguide.html [10][10] Mehlum, L. (2000). Mehlum, L. (2000). The Internet, suicide and suicide prevention.The Internet, suicide and suicide prevention. Crisis, 21, 186 - 188 Crisis, 21, 186 - 188 [11][11] Beautrais, A.L., Collings S.C.D., Ehrhardt, P. et al. Beautrais, A.L., Collings S.C.D., Ehrhardt, P. et al. Suicide Prevention: A review of Suicide Prevention: A review of

evidence of risk and protective factors, and points of effective intervention.evidence of risk and protective factors, and points of effective intervention. Wellington: Wellington: MoH, 2005MoH, 2005

[12][12] Sisask, M., Varnik, A., Wasserman, D., (2005). Sisask, M., Varnik, A., Wasserman, D., (2005). Internet Comments on Media Internet Comments on Media Reporting of Two Adolescents’ Collective Suicide AttemptReporting of Two Adolescents’ Collective Suicide Attempt, Archives of Suicide Research, , Archives of Suicide Research, 9:87-98, International Academy for Suicide Research, 9:87-98, International Academy for Suicide Research,

[13][13] Etzersdorfer, Elmar, Fiedler, George and Witte, Michael (Eds.) (2003). Etzersdorfer, Elmar, Fiedler, George and Witte, Michael (Eds.) (2003). New Media New Media and Suicidaity: Perils and Possibilities of Intervention.and Suicidaity: Perils and Possibilities of Intervention. Goettingen: Vandenhoeck & Goettingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, reviewed by Bronisch, T., in Archives of Suicide Research, vol. 9, number 4, Ruprecht, reviewed by Bronisch, T., in Archives of Suicide Research, vol. 9, number 4, 20042004