Thomson Reuters Foundation

As in several countries, one of the central goals of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England is to improve the portrayal and reporting of suicidal behavior in the media (Department of Health, 2002). With this in mind, the aims of the Reuters/Centre for Suicide Research (CSR) “Suicide and the Media” meeting were two-fold: (1) to bring together a group of media professionals, medical researchers, and experts to examine the existing evidence for media influence on suicidal behavior and its prevention; and (2) to provide a forum for discussion of the issues and challenges raised, in order to highlight future practical steps to address this matter constructively. Here we review the main points of discussion and outcomes of the meeting. The meeting was attended by representatives of the UK Department of Health, the National Institute for Mental Health in England, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Samaritans, Rethink, Mental Health Media, the PressWise Trust, Reuters Foundation Visiting Fellows, research organizations, journalists, and local and national politicians. Three speakers provided an overview of the key issues to be considered when addressing the central dilemma of how to produce challenging, provocative, and informative media output for the majority who are not at risk, but at the same time protect the interests of the minority who are at risk.