| Cross-border support for launch of suicide guidelines
The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) today welcomed the launch of all-Ireland guidelines on the portrayal of suicide in the media. The Irish Association of Suicidology (IAS) and Samaritans launched Media guidelines for the portrayal of suicide at joint events held in Belfast and Dublin, facilitated and supported by the HPA and the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) in the Republic of Ireland.
Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA said: “Suicide is everyone’s responsibility and the media has an important role to play not only in the prevention of suicide but also in promoting positive mental health messages and reducing the stigma which surrounds mental illness.
“We know that more work needs to be done with the media around the awareness of suicide and the promotion of recommended guidelines. This collaboration with the National Office for Suicide Prevention in supporting the IAS and Samaritans’ guidelines will assist work we plan to do in partnership with the media around training for journalists and media students.”
Suicide is the biggest cause of death amongst men and women under the age of 35 on the island of Ireland and in 2003 a total of 587 people died by suicide, which represents one death every 15 hours.1
Health Minister Paul Goggins said: “Suicide is a difficult and emotive subject that needs to be handled sensitively. I am anxious to do all that I can to prevent suicide in our society and very much welcome the launch of these media guidelines on the portrayal of suicide. It is vitally important that the media handle and report their stories appropriately and sensitively.
“The guidelines should greatly assist journalists and writers, photographers and directors working in television, radio, theatre, film, print and electronic media in dealing with suicide and in improving public understanding of this very difficult problem. I am grateful for the cooperation of the Samaritans and the Irish Association of Suicidology in the development of the guidelines.”
END
Notes
to the editor:
The Belfast launch of Media guidelines for the portrayal of suicide will take place at the Europa Hotel, Belfast from 10:30am, with a media facility from 11:20am when speakers will be available for interview and photographs.
For
further information contact:
Rosie McGaughey at the HPA on Tel: 028 9031 1611.
1Media guidelines for the portrayal of suicide, IAS and Samaritans, 2006.
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