FOR JOURNALISTS & COMMUNICATORS
Media Resources
Safe, accurate, and respectful communication about suicide can reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, and support suicide prevention. These resources are intended for journalists, communications professionals, community organizations, educators, and anyone creating public content about suicide.
Language Matters
The words and images used when discussing suicide can influence how people understand the issue and whether they feel safe seeking support. Use people-first, non-stigmatizing language and include help information when sharing content about suicide.
Dos and Don’ts
Refer to crisis resources
Include 9-8-8 prominently so readers who are struggling can find help.
Use person-first language
"Died by suicide"—not "committed suicide," which implies criminality.
Discuss warning signs & help-seeking
Frame stories around prevention and community support, not just tragedy.
Describe the method
Detailed descriptions of methods can trigger copycat behaviour. Never include specific details.
Sensationalize or glamorize
Avoid dramatic headlines, graphic images, or framing suicide as a solution.
Oversimplify causes
Suicide is complex. Avoid attributing it to a single event.
Media Reporting and Safe Communication Resources
These evidence-informed resources provide guidance for journalists, communications professionals, researchers, and community organizations discussing suicide in public-facing content.
They offer practical recommendations for using safe language, choosing appropriate imagery, providing support information, and reporting on suicide in ways that reduce stigma and promote hope and help-seeking.
Mindset: Reporting on Mental Health
Canada’s journalist-to-journalist guide for reporting on mental health. The guide includes practical recommendations for safe, accurate, and responsible reporting on suicide.
Language Matters: Safe Communication for Suicide Prevention
Created by the Public Health Agency of Canada in partnership with the Centre for Suicide Prevention and the Association québécoise de prévention du suicide.This resource provides practical guidance on choosing safe, respectful, and non-stigmatizing language when communicating about suicide.
Guidance on Trigger Warnings
Guidance from the International Association for Suicide Prevention on the use of trigger warnings for suicide-related and emotionally charged content.The resource explores how content notices can be used carefully and effectively when sharing sensitive information.
Preventing Suicide: A Resource for Media Professionals
The World Health Organization’s updated guide for media professionals includes recommendations for responsible reporting on suicide, with an increased focus on stories of survival, recovery, and hope.
Media Guidelines for Reporting on Suicide
Developed by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, this resource provides practical recommendations for reporting on suicide safely, accurately, and responsibly.
Language Matters in Preventing Suicide
This article from The Conversation explores how language can influence stigma, understanding, and suicide prevention.Written by Karin Neufeld, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, and Sidney Stacey, Assistant Professor at McMaster University and Chair of SPCCH.
Responsible Reporting Can Support Suicide Prevention
How the media reports on suicide matters. The Papageno Media Awards recognize stories that promote hope, recovery, and help-seeking through safe, responsible reporting.
Need Guidance?
For questions about safe communication, media inquiries, or SPCCH’s suicide prevention work in Hamilton, contact our team.
Media & Inquiries
For media inquiries, interview requests, or information about SPCCH’s suicide prevention work in Hamilton, contact our team.
Communications contact
info@spcch.org
