Winifred Bosa , Lagos

 

Given an increasing evidence that media can play significant role in suicide prevention efforts, Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN), in collaboration with the Retreat Healthcare and the Nous Foundation Nigeria, recently organised a zoom training for journalists on responsible reporting of suicide.

 

The theme of the webinar was, “Responsible Suicide Reporting: Role of Nigerian Journalists.”

Dr Olufemi Olugbile

 

Speaking on the topic “Why Suicide Should Be Seen As A Mental Health Issue.”a former Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olufemi Olugbile, warned that glamourisation of suicide in the media might lead to copycat suicidal behaviours.

 

He pointed out that social media bullying and modeling, as well as availability of information concerning ways of carrying out the act might increase the likelihood of suicide.

 

Observing that about 800, 000 suicides happened globally yearly while the suicide rate in Nigeria is at 6.9 per 100, 000 population yearly ,Olugbile, who is also a Consultant Psychiatrist, urged the media to desist from reporting suicide from the sensational criminal incident attitude.

 

Rather, the media should adopt the approach of reflecting ‘suicide as an illness which is humane, modern and evidence-based approach to suicide reporting, ‘he said.

 

 

The psychiatrist also called for a paradigm shift to regard a suicide survivor as a patient and not a culprit as obtained by an existing Nigerian law which observes suicide as a criminal act.

 

Lade Olugbemi

 

Also speaking on the topic “The Responsible Suicide Reporting (RSR): The Social And Legal Implications,” the Executive of Nous Foundation Nigeria, Lade Olugbemi, said “There’s a need for Nigeria to have a national suicide prevention strategy as directed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), pointing out that in Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, suicide is a crime in Nigeria, punishable by one-year imprisonment for a failed suicide attempt.”

 

She regretted that Nigeria’s law on suicide is a legacy of old laws from the era of British colonization, noting that similar provisions in other African countries criminalize, instead of decriminalizing suicide attempts.

 

Olugbemi also bemoaned the manner of reporting suicide by the news media, stating that the media is a risk factor in the way and manner they report on suicide.

 

She however , told journalists to be cautious in the use of language when reporting on the subject and urged them to be more aware of critical risk factors like levels of stigmatization, copycat effects, harmful speculation, sensationalism etc.

 

 

 

Here are some recommendations on suicide reporting

 

Avoid using the word “suicide” in the report

 

Avoid using the word “commit” in the report

 

Avoid repetition of the story

 

Avoid placing the story in a prominent part of the paper or news

 

Avoid giving personal details or photograph of the person involved

 

Avoid giving detailed description of the method used

 

Avoid giving the specific location of spot used if it is a public place

 

Avoid publishing suicide notes

 

Treat the deceased with dignity

 

Reports should be sensitive to the families of the bereaved

 

Special precaution with reports of celebrity suicide

 

The report should inform people on how to get help and educate

 

Health correspondents should be reporting on suicides

 

All journalists should be trained regularly on suicide reporting