The media has a powerful role to play in promoting awareness about why people feel suicidal and guiding people towards sources of support, Minister of State for mental health Tim O'Malley said yesterday.
He was speaking at the launch of new media guidelines on the portrayal of suicide aimed at promoting responsible coverage of the issue, enhancing understanding of suicide and reducing the risk of "copycat" deaths.
The guidelines were launched by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and developed by the Samaritans and Irish Association of Suicidology.
Research suggests that while the media can play a powerful role in informing the public about suicide, some types of portrayal can act as a catalyst to influence the behaviour of vulnerable people.
In Ireland, experts estimate that about 6 per cent of suicides are as a result of "copycat" behaviour. Those most at risk appear to be those under 24, although there is growing evidence that older people are also at high risk.
Mr O'Malley welcomed the increased level of discussion and openness in the media and broader society on mental health issues, but cautioned that responsible coverage was vital.
"We need to ensure that public discussion and media coverage of suicide and deliberate self-harm remains measured, well informed and sensitive to the needs and wellbeing of psychologically vulnerable and distressed individuals in our society," he said.
Latest figures show that 431 people died by suicide in 2005, the lowest rate in 10 years. The number of deaths recorded as suicide rose from 216 in 1980 to a high of 519 in 2001.
While Ireland has a relatively low suicide rate, experts are concerned about the growing rate of suicide among young people, which is one of the highest in Europe.
Meanwhile, experts called for greater support for young people with mental health problems at a public forum at UCD last night.
Executive director of the National Centre for Youth Mental Health Dr Tony Bates said waiting lists of up to three years for young people seeking expert intervention were "cruel, unnecessary and wasted the enormous talent of our young people.
Portrayal of suicide: media guidelines
Avoid explicit technical details of suicide methods: Detailed descriptions of suicide methods are potentially harmful. Reporting that a person died from carbon monoxide poisoning, for example, is not in itself dangerous. But providing details of the mechanism and procedures used to carry out such a suicide attempt can lead to the imitation of suicidal behaviour by others at risk
Include details of further sources of information and advice: Listing appropriate sources of help or support at the end of an article or programme shows the person who might be feeling suicidal that they are not alone and have the opportunity to make positive changes
Avoid simplistic explanations for suicide and help your audience understand the complexity of the issue: Suicide is seldom, if ever, the result of a single factor or event, even if a catalyst seems obvious. Accounts which try to explain a suicide as the inevitable outcome of dashed romantic feelings or a single dramatic incident should be challenged
Challenge common myths about suicide: Every time suicide is mentioned in the media, there is an opportunity to educate the public
Remember the effect on survivors of suicide, on those who have attempted it, and those who have been bereaved: An estimated one-in-four people know someone who has taken their own life. It is likely some people watching or reading has lost a relative or friend and been deeply affected by this, so bear this in mind
Look after yourself: Reporting or researching suicide can be very distressing in itself, even for the most hardened person, especially if the subject touches something in your own experience
Source: Media Guidelines for the Portrayal of Suicide, available from the HSE, Irish Association of Suicidology and the Samaritans.