30th June 2026
30th June 2026
Strategic Action Plan for Suicide Prevention - Four actions have been completed
Four of the twenty-six actions in the Strategic Action Plan for Suicide Prevention in Iceland 2025–2030 have now been completed. Progress on these actions can be monitored via an interactive dashboard on the Directorate of Health's website.
-Automatic translation
Media coverage of suicide
Two of the actions now implemented (actions 4.1 and 4.2) relate to the translation, promotion and education about the handbook Suicide Prevention: Recommendations for the Media (Icelandic). The recommendations are available on the website of Lífbrú – Centre for Suicide Prevention and on the Icelandic Union of Journalists' website, under the professional material section.
Lífbrú has presented the recommendations to the media and sent information to all registered media in Iceland. The recommendations are based on international knowledge and evidence-based methods for discussing suicide respectfully, responsibly and constructively. Research shows that media coverage can influence public attitudes and behaviour. Responsible and careful coverage can increase knowledge, reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help when needed.
The actions to promote the material during the initial training of media and journalism professionals have also been completed. The material has been presented to the universities that teach media studies and journalism, i.e. the University of Iceland and the University of Akureyri. The universities have also received teaching materials and been offered training from Lífbrú. The material has also been presented to upper secondary schools offering media studies courses.
Trigger warnings
It is worth noting that the Icelandic recommendations include four appendices tailored to Icelandic conditions. These cover appropriate wording, a list of resources, and examples of responsible media coverage of suicide.
The recommendations advise against publishing so-called trigger warnings at the beginning of news reports about suicide. Instead, the emphasis is on careful, responsible and evidence-based presentation of news, which matters most. New guidelines from the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) align with this approach and emphasise that trigger warnings cannot replace responsible reporting; see Appendix 3, p. 44 for more details.
The implementation of these actions is an important step towards strengthening suicide prevention in society and supporting a safe and informed discussion about suicide and mental health.
More information
Guðrún Jóna Guðlaugsdóttir, verkefnastjóri Lífsbrúar – miðstöðvar sjálfsvígsforvarna
gudrun.j.gudlaugsdottir@landlaeknir.is
Kjartan Hreinn Njálsson, aðstoðamaður landlæknis
kjartan.h.njalsson@landlaeknir.is
Where to get help?
People with suicidal thoughts are advised to contact: The Píeta Association, tel. 552-2218, the Red Cross Helpline, tel. 1717 and the online chat at 1717.is, the Primary Health Care Information Centre, tel. 1700 and the online chat at heilsuvera.is. In an emergency, call 112.
Those who have lost a loved one to suicide are advised to contact: The Primary Health Care Information Centre, tel. 1700 and the online chat at heilsuvera.is, the Grief Centre (Sorgarmiðstöð), tel. 551-4141, and sorgarmidstod@sorgarmidstod.is, the Píeta Association, tel. 552-2218. In an emergency, call 112.