Media Guidelines

Checklist for Responsible Reporting

• Report suicide as a public health issue. Including stories on hope, healing, and recovery may reduce the risk of contagion.
• Include Resources. Provide information on warning signs of suicide risk as well as hotline and treatment resources. At a minimum, include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Text Line (listed below) or local crisis phone numbers.
• Use Appropriate Language. Certain phrases and words can further stigmatize suicide, spread myths, and undermine suicide prevention objectives such as “committed suicide” or referring to suicide as “successful,” “unsuccessful” or a “failed attempt.” Instead use, “died by suicide” or “killed him/herself.”
• Emphasize Help and Hope. Stories of recovery through help-seeking and positive coping skills are powerful, especially when they come from people who have experienced suicide risk.
• Ask an Expert. Interview suicide prevention or mental health experts to validate your facts on suicide risk and mental illness.

Reporting Under Unusual Circumstances

A mass shooting where a perpetrator takes his or her life is different from an isolated suicide. Recommendations for reporting on mass shootings can be found at reportingonmassshootings.org.

A homicide-suicide is also different from an isolated suicide. The circumstances are often complex in these incidents, as they are in suicide. To minimize fear in the community, avoid speculation on motive and cite facts and statements that indicate that such events are rare. Show sensitivity to survivors in your interviews and reporting. Highlight research that shows most perpetrators of homicide-suicide have mental health or substance use problems, but remind readers that most people who experience mental illness are nonviolent.

Crisis Resources to Include in Stories

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.

For more information and examples of best practices when reporting on suicide, visit ReportingonSuicide.org/Recommendations