Let's talk about suicide
Responsible communication about suicide can have save lives.
We have often heard the expression "what is not named does not exist". This expression has been the reality for many years about suicide. For a long time, there has been a widespread belief that the dissemination of information or news related to suicidal behavior could have a copycat effect on people with suicidal ideation, (we call this the Werther effect). This myth has led the vast majority of the media to choose to silence it.
For years, different organizations linked to health, as well as the media, have been working on the elaboration of recommendations for an adequate communication of news related to suicide, in order to achieve a preventive effect, also called the Papageno effect.
In this way, it is essential that the media act jointly and in coordination with public institutions and social entities linked to suicide, in order to publicize awareness-raising actions, raising awareness and improving information to the general population.
In addition, it is important that the media offer information based on scientific evidence and provided by professionals and first-person testimonies. This will put an end to the existence of false myths or beliefs linked to suicide that favor the stigmatization of those affected.