Suicide Prevention

-Automatic translation

The suicide rates in Iceland have not changed much in recent decades. All preventive work that can reduce the number of suicides is essential. Since the risk and protective factors of suicides tend to be a complex interaction of social and mental risk factors, preventive work should be carried out in many areas, such as healthcare, social services, and schools, and through open and informed discussion in society. The media plays a significant role in that.

Media coverage can be important in prevention

The media can share new knowledge in suicide prevention and possibly prevent suicide by providing essential and helpful information. The media can also spread false information and increase the risk of suicide. When news in the media has the effect of rising suicide rates, it has been called the Werther effect by Werther, who takes his own life in Goethe's novel. Several studies have shown that the widespread coverage of suicide in the media can lead to increased suicidal behaviour or the so-called "imitation behaviour". This risk is particularly present if the method of suicide is described, if news of the same suicide is repeated frequently, if the person involved is a known individual, or if the information is presented so that it is easy to identify the person who committed suicide. Research suggests that this kind of news can have a particularly bad effect on vulnerable groups, such as young people, individuals with a history of mental illness and previous suicidal behaviour, and relatives of those who have committed suicide.

A positive and constructive discussion has an impact

With increased knowledge of the Werther effect, guidelines for the media have been published worldwide, and some studies have shown that suicide rates have decreased following their publication. In recent years, more studies have looked at the positive effects of media coverage, and they suggest that news of individuals who have overcome their difficulties and suicidal thoughts can lead to a reduction in the incidence of suicidal behaviour. Responsible media coverage and its protective effect on suicide rates has been called the Papageno effect by Papageno from Mozart's The Magic Flute, who contemplates suicide but abandons the idea after seeing other constructive ways.

News that educates the public about suicidal behaviour, prevention, and coping strategies can encourage individuals to seek help and talk about their suicidal thoughts. Therefore, information on where to find help (such as the 24-hour helpline 1717) should accompany all news mentioning suicidal behaviour.

• Suicide and the media. Guðrún Jóna Guðlaugsdóttir. Vísir. September 6, 2023. (Icelandic)

• Criteria for reducing stigmatizing discussion of mental health issues in the media (Icelandic)