Telling the right stories about suicide

THE recent news of suicide cases in Penang has left the nation aghast. Cases of suicide have seen an alarming and concerning rise in recent times. While this is a situation that certainly needs to be addressed, another aspect that requires equal attention is the manner in which suicides are reported and shared.

The ethical reporting of suicide by the media and the public can play an active role in changing perceptions and avoiding suicide contagion while creating heightened awareness about this issue. Components in stories about suicides, such as headlines, language and images, can all have an impact on the general public because of the media’s influential role in society.