For Media

Australian media are a major source of information for the community. The way suicide, mental health concerns and alcohol and other drugs are reported or communicated about plays a huge role in shaping the public discourse about suicide. There is the potential to increase stigma and distress, isolate people and, in some situations, increase the risk of suicide. However, it can also challenge stigma, promote help seeking and help offering behaviours, provide education, hope, and raise awareness.

Carefully considering how you include the perspectives or stories of people with a lived and living experiences of suicide
is important.

Mindframe has a collaborative relationship with the Australian media that spans over two decades.

When reporting, portraying or communicating about suicide or mental health concerns the Mindframe guidelines are able to provide support and guidance to media professionals.

The guidelines provide an overview on:

• communicating about a suicide death
• communicating about a person experiencing mental health concerns
• communicating about self-harm
• recommendations for reporting on eating disorders
• safe and inclusive language to use
• minimising details of method and location
• the importance of including help-seeking information

• Mindframe media guidelines for reporting suicide and mental ill health

• Mindframe help-seeking information for stories on suicide and or mental health concerns

Self-care

Self-care refers to activities that help individuals look after their physical and mental wellbeing.

Due to the sometimes distressing nature of suicide reporting, media and communications professionals should adopt self-care activities to ensure they safeguard their health and wellbeing.

For more information on self-care, click here.