{"id":74985,"date":"2022-01-26T16:32:47","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T13:32:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/lifestyle\/?p=74985"},"modified":"2022-01-26T16:32:49","modified_gmt":"2022-01-26T13:32:49","slug":"best-practices-on-how-to-report-suicide-responsibly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/lifestyle\/2022\/01\/26\/best-practices-on-how-to-report-suicide-responsibly\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Practices on How to Report Suicide Responsibly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Suicide is a complex phenomenon that is an enormous problem in Kenya and all over the world. According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 million people worldwide die by suicide, making it the largest share of intentional injury burden in developing countries. Suicide is projected to become an even greater contributor to the global burden of disease over the coming decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The seriousness of this issue is alarming and amid the suicide crisis, one wonders what can be done to reduce the suicide mortality rate? Unfortunately, suicide all too often fails to be prioritized as a major public health problem and despite extensive research, taboo and stigma surrounding suicide persists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the steps that can be taken is prevention – an approach that is highly recommended by WHO.\u00a0The impact suicide has on families, friends and communities is devastating and far reaching even long after the persons dear to them have taken their own lives<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Media can play a proactive role in helping prevent suicide by publishing information responsibly and so can individuals. Here are several factors to consider and recommendations by WHO on how to report on suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO’s<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do educate the public about the facts of suicide and suicide prevention, without spreading myths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do provide accurate information about where to seek help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reports should take account of the impact of suicide on families and other survivors in terms of both stigma and psychological suffering.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do write about how to cope with life stressors or suicidal thoughts, and include information about how and where to get help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do show compassion when interviewing bereaved family or friends and recognise that you yourself may be affected when reporting on suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do list available mental health services and helplines with their up-to-date telephone numbers and addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DON’TS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Suicide should not <\/strong>be depicted as a method of coping with personal problems such as bankruptcy, failure to pass an examination, or sexual abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suicide should not<\/strong> be reported as unexplainable or in a simplistic way, as it is never the result of a single factor or event. It is usually caused by a complex interaction of many factors such as mental and physical illness, substance abuse, family disturbances, interpersonal conflicts and life stressors. Acknowledging that a variety of factors contributes to suicide would be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0Every effort should be made to avoid overstatement. Photographs of the deceased, of the method used and of the scene of the suicide are to be avoided. Front page headlines are never the ideal location for suicide reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Glorifying suicide victims as martyrs and objects of public adulation may suggest to susceptible persons that their society honors suicidal behavior. Instead, the emphasis should be on mourning the person\u2019s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not give\u00a0detailed descriptions of the method used and how the method was procured. Research has shown that media coverage of suicide has a greater impact on the method of suicide adopted than the frequency of suicides. Certain locations – bridges, cliffs, tall buildings, railways, etc. – are traditionally associated with suicide and added publicity increases the risk that more people will use them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Kenya, there are various organisations working towards suicide prevention and offering support to people at risk of the same:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n