Find a topic expert

Including expert contacts, research sources, facts and statistics into communication or media reporting about suicide and mental health concerns will provide context and background to the audience.

Use expert advice or comment where necessary

It’s important that the media are able to present accurate and balanced information about suicide to the community:

• Obtain the views of suicide prevention experts or organisations, who can assist by providing comment, accurate interpretation of statistics and placing situations or campaigns in context.
• If the story is about a specific illness (e.g. depression) or a specific population group (e.g. young people) choose an organisation for comment that is most relevant to the topic.
• Ensure the chosen service is aware that you’re including their number in a story, so they can be prepared for calls or enquiries.

Health Departments – media units