Safe and Effective Messaging and Reporting

How we communicate about suicide—both in the media and in prevention messages—makes a difference.

Messages and images about suicide can:

  • Encourage hope or discourage people from seeking help
  • Celebrate life or romanticize death
  • Help people understand that suicide is preventable and mental illnesses are treatable or reinforce inaccurate beliefs that nothing can be done about these problems

Reporting on Suicide

The news media should report on suicide in a way that is accurate and doesn’t negatively impact people at risk. See the Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide website.

Developing Suicide Prevention Messages

The National Action Alliance Framework for Successful Messaging website can help people working in suicide prevention and mental health promotion ensure that all of their messages about suicide are strategic, safe, positive, and make use of relevant guidelines and best practices.