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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by badhaircut on January 17, 2004, at 8:29:06
Newspapers that detail every other kind of homicide often skip over any mention of a suicide. Part of the reason they don't report is apparently that they're afraid of inspiring copy-cats. (A reasonable fear.)
But by ignoring the story altogether, they also don't report the devastated family and friends, the horrific aftermath, the "if-only-we'd-known" agony. They don't highlight how irrational, short-sighted, and mistaken the decision to commit suicide is in every instance.
Maybe a headline could be "Local Man Commits Short-Sighted Act."
This is an article about reporting on suicides that urges more coverage as a public health issue, with guidelines to discourage copy-cats -- for example, don't report on the actual method used: http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=54176
I mention suicide reporting now because of the recent reports about increased suicides by U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
-bhc
Posted by EmmyS on January 17, 2004, at 9:48:22
In reply to news reporting on suicide, posted by badhaircut on January 17, 2004, at 8:29:06
I'm really glad you posted this topic. I've lost several family members to suicide, and frankly...it really stinks.
Recently there were 2 unrelated suicides locally which occured in a small town on the same day. The small town paper published this news, and printed the names of the 2 people who died. There was a huge uproar regarding the fact that their names were printed. Of course this is because of the stigma and shame regarding mental illness. People assumed that the surviving family members would be ashamed that their family member probably had a mental illness.
Personally, I don't see depression as anything more shameful than heart desease or diabetes. With meds and therapy, depression can be successfully treated. Unfortunately too many people go undiagnosed, untreated, undertreated, or are get lousy treatment! Can you tell this irks me?
I've had to deal with the affects of the stigma of mental illness in my family for 35 years. Things have improved over the years...but not nearly enough.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has been working for a long time on the topics of reducing stigma and assisting the press in reporting on suicide. It's a great organziation. www.afsp.org
Emmy (I've obviously had way too much coffee)
Posted by DaisyM on January 17, 2004, at 18:59:52
In reply to Re: news reporting on suicide, posted by EmmyS on January 17, 2004, at 9:48:22
I agree there should be more reports. My husbands brother committed suicide 17 years ago and it just about ripped his family apart. The only place it was mentioned was in the Obit and only then in the : please send donations to suicide prevention, etc.
I think if more people knew how it effects those left behind, they would really do everything possible to get help. I realize that when you are in a deep, dark place your thinking isn't rational and you believe in someways that you are doing the world a favor but one of the significant ways to assess suicide risk is to find out about family. Women with young children are not likely to follow through if you remind them they are leaving their children.
It is a hard subject to report in a sensitive way. Recently a teen in my area drove down to SF and jumped on the Golden Gate Bridge. It was covered very well in our local paper and there was a bunch of stuff about signs, hotlines, etc. etc.
It is a hot button with me too...even after all these years. My husband suffered so because he "didn't know it was that bad."
Posted by gabbix2 on January 17, 2004, at 23:35:58
In reply to Re: news reporting on suicide, posted by DaisyM on January 17, 2004, at 18:59:52
I'm really uncomfortable with the idea of the media making excruciating private pain public
with the theory that it serves a higher purpose.I don't believe anyone's pain should be exploited by the media and I'm relieved there are still some things left relatively untouched.
The pain of suicide can be brought to the public's attention without making each act a news story. I cannot imagine the grief being compounded by a media assault.
If someone left behind chooses to share their story believing it will do some good then I think it should be left as that; a highly personal decision, they've had enough choice taken from them already.
Posted by EmmyS on January 18, 2004, at 0:00:09
In reply to Re: news reporting on suicide » DaisyM, posted by gabbix2 on January 17, 2004, at 23:35:58
I feel like all "sensational" deaths, such as car accidents, murders, deaths in house fires, are all reported. Suicides seem to fall in that same category. All those families are also devastated. I don't see a difference. Care must be taken in how suicide is reported, as mentioned in that article. It is such an opportunity to educate, talk, and save lives - just as in done after a DWI death.
For me, the remaining question in the revealing of names. I think that should be left to the family to decide. But, who can make a decision at that time?
I do understand love and respect for the people lost to sucide. I also repsect the pain of the suviving family members since I'm one of them. And because of that, I'll do anything to prevent another family from going through this.
Em
Posted by DaisyM on January 18, 2004, at 1:02:10
In reply to Re: news reporting on suicide » DaisyM, posted by gabbix2 on January 17, 2004, at 23:35:58
I respect your opinion and agree there should be choice. It just is so hard to get this subject talked about...especially with our younger people.
My boys all know kids who have tried and/or succeeded. They also know they have "permission" to bring it up and talk about it at home...even if it is painful for their dad. It is such a complicated subject. For example, I don't know if in the face of overwhelming pain if I would still consider it Ok to publicly acknowledge that an ill individual took their life. And mental illness counts. *sigh* It is a difficult call...so I agree with you. Choice is so important as is wide-spread education. There MUST be a way to do both.
Posted by Kalamatianos on January 18, 2004, at 1:51:17
In reply to news reporting on suicide, posted by badhaircut on January 17, 2004, at 8:29:06
Posted by noa on January 18, 2004, at 11:10:53
In reply to news reporting on suicide, posted by badhaircut on January 17, 2004, at 8:29:06
Yes, I had seen something similar at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
http://www.afsp.org/education/recommendations/index.html
Posted by gabbix2 on January 18, 2004, at 14:06:30
In reply to Re: news reporting on suicide » gabbix2, posted by DaisyM on January 18, 2004, at 1:02:10
Thanks Daisy, I know someone who went through the anguish of losing someone this way and who was hurt again at the thought of that pain being sacrificed to the media.
It is complicated, as someone who's been suicidal my views on whether it would help are different (and change within my own mind) but that's not the point.
At the very it would simplify things if we could trust that the media would be sensitive and always had our best interest at heart. Unfortunately we can't even count on that.
I needed to offer an alternate viewpoint, thanks for understanding that.
Posted by cubic_me on January 19, 2004, at 6:02:14
In reply to Re: news reporting on suicide » DaisyM, posted by gabbix2 on January 18, 2004, at 14:06:30
A really close friend of mine killed herself in a public place about 18 months ago. At first it was reported sympathetically (but with no hotline numbers etc), but reporting of the inquiry into her death was insensitive and innacurate. I wouldn't mind if they had told the truth, but it really hurts when they say she felt she couldn't talk to anyone and she killed herself due to career worries when me and several other close friends helped her through several previous suicidal episodes/attempts and knew that was not the reason she killed herself.
I don't mind the media reporting suicides, as long as they are sensitive to people who are already grieving and in pain.
This is the end of the thread.
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