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The Media and Suicide

Dr. Howard S. Sudak is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and is in the private practice of psychiatry. He is employed part-time by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention as the Research Coordinator for the Evidence-Based Practices Project for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Donna M. Sudak is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Drexel University School of Medicine and Director of its Psychotherapy Training Program. She is also on the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Address correspondence to Dr. Howard S. Sudak, John Ross House, Suite 402, 401 S. Second St., Philadelphia, PA 19147-1612; hsudak{at}afsp.org (E-mail). Copyright © 2005 Academic Psychiatry.

OBJECTIVE: The authors aim to inform readers of the theory that when newspapers, film, and television describe suicidal deaths, additional suicides may result by virtue of contagion or copy-cat effects; to review data that support and refute this theory; to present some promising and recommended ways to prevent copy-cat suicide; and to cite news-media examples of both particularly bad and good reporting. METHODS: A review of the literature on media-related suicide was conducted, which included reviewing materials published in scientific journals and data published by the U.S. Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, and materials from private, not-for-profit agencies. RESULTS: Data support an increased number of suicides resulting from media accounts of suicide that romanticize or dramatize the description of suicidal deaths. Specific guidelines for the media that may be able to decrease these additional deaths have been devised. CONCLUSION: Psychiatrists should be familiar with the harm that may result from improper reporting of suicide in the media since they may be called upon by reporters or family members following the suicide of one of their patients or following the suicide of a newsworthy person. Following the media guidelines available may prevent such contagion effects from occurring.

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