The media will today be urged to follow new guidelines on the coverage of suicide which aim to promote responsible coverage of the issue and reduce the risk of "copycat" deaths.
The National Office for Suicide Prevention, based in the Health Service Executive (HSE), is funding an awareness campaign around guidelines developed by experts and support groups such as 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. For example, in the week following an episode of Casualty on the BBC - which included a storyline about a paracetamol overdose - rates of self-poisoning in the UK increased by 175 per cent.
In Ireland, experts estimate that around six 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.
The new guidelines to be published today offer "practical and sensible" advice to the media over reporting or dramatising the issue, such as listing the details or further sources of information and advice; not romanticising of glorifying suicide; avoiding simplistic explanations for suicide; not implying there are "positive" results to be gained by suicide.
They also suggest avoiding phrases such as a "successful" suicide attempt or the use of terms such as "to commit suicide" and "suicide victim". Instead, the guidelines encourage the use of phrases such as "a completed suicide"; "to die by suicide" and a "person at risk of suicide".
The guidelines also include common myths about suicide (see panel) aimed at clearing up much of the confusion and misunderstanding about suicide.
The head of the National Office for Suicide Prevention Geoff Day said the need to continue to encourage responsible reporting of suicide was important in a fast-changing media environment. "We're not mandating anyone to do this. These are more helpful hints to promote good and responsible coverage of the media. The key things we want to avoid are glamorising or sensationalising suicide," he said.
Studies suggest positive portrayal of suicide in the media has had striking results. For example, a study following the death of Nirvana's lead singer Kurt Cobain found there was no overall increase in suicide rates in his hometown of Seattle, largely as a result of a close collaboration between media and authorities to ensure appropriate reporting took place. This focused on Cobain's gifted musical ability, in contrast to the wastefulness of his death. Attention also focused on an emotional eulogy by his wife, Courtney Love, who spoke of the futility of his death.
The Samaritans offer 24-hour confidential emotional support to people in distress and at risk of suicide. They can be contacted on 1850 60 90 90. Information is also available at www.samaritans.org
Suicide: myths and facts
Myth: "If someone is going to kill themselves, there is nothing you can do about it"
Fact: If you can offer appropriate help and emotional support to people experiencing deep unhappiness and distress, you can reduce their risk of dying by suicide
Myth: "Suicidal people are fully intent on dying"
Fact: Suicide is not a lifestyle choice. The majority who die by suicide are ambivalent about living or dying and many who experience suicidal thoughts don't really want to die. They cannot see a way to go on living with their distress.
Myth: "Talking about it encourages it"
Fact: On the contrary, talking about suicide in a controlled, supportive, educational and informative way will not lead to its "normalisation" or encourage people to think of taking their lives... Not to talk about suicide makes it harder for someone to open up about their feelings and could prevent them finding a way forward.
Source: Media guidelines for the portrayal of suicide, by the Irish Association of Suicidology and the Samaritans