Suicide media response service

The Mental Health Foundation works with media to report on suicide and related issues safely and responsibly.
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We work proactively with media to ensure that suicide reporting follows the suicide reporting guidelines and doesn’t put vulnerable people at risk of taking their own lives.

Research demonstrates that certain kinds of suicide reporting can increase suicidal behaviour in vulnerable people.

The likelihood of vulnerable people being affected increases when media coverage is prominent, includes details about possible causes of suicide that simplify a complex issue, profiles individuals in a way that vulnerable people might relate to, includes method and/or location and doesn’t include help-seeking information.

The Mental Health Foundation works to ensure that risk is minimised by encouraging media to include helplines, services and sources of support in their suicide stories so those who need it can seek help. We proactively encourage media to tell recovery stories and to inform their audiences of core suicide prevention messages including suicide risks, warning signs, myths and how to help someone in crisis.

Our communications team is available to advise and support New Zealand media to discuss suicide safely and responsibly, in a way that minimises risk and helps individuals, whanau and communities to feel they are capable of preventing suicide.