VIEW issue 4 2012:VIEW issue 4 2012 29/04/2012 16:54 Page 14


Finding the ‘right’ words VIEW, Issue four, 2012 Website: viewdigital.org


Brian Pelan talks to Lighthouse co-ordinator Jo Murphy about the shift in language when it comes to reporting on suicides


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the media. “The word ‘committed’ really offends families,


hilst there has been a welcome growth in the number of suicide pre- vention groups there is still an issue over how suicide is reported on in


says Jo Murphy, co-ordinator of the suicide support charity in north Belfast. “because it is associated with committing a crime”. “We now encourage reporters to use different phrases such as ‘died by suicide’, or ‘taken his or her own life’. There has been a big shift, though, in how suicide has been reported in the media. A lot of organisations, including ourselves, have chal- lenged the media over the reporting of suicides. It’s about ‘responsible journalism’ ”. We talked about the use of a graphic image of a person who had taken their own life in an Irish newspaper several years ago. The publication of the photograph led to a huge public backlash and an apology from the editor.


“The image had a huge impact on families. The emotional trauma it caused for a lot of people was


‘I think there needs to be more of a focus on prevention. We need to put out a message of giving hope to people’


unbelievable,” said Ms Murphy. “For families and communities it is about being responsible. That per- son is a human being, he/she had family and friends, so there is no need to describe how the person took their own life. “There is still a stigma that surrounds mental health in general. There has been a change in atti- tudes over the years, but I think we still have a long way to go. I welcome recent TV ads such as the Lifeline and Mask adverts. The ‘Mask’ concept featured a young man having


a good time in public but when alone he removes a mask to reveal his real face, with an expression that is bleak and miserable. A shorter ad featuring the young man talking to someone on the phone was shown in the same ad break slot. “I remember the time during the Ardoyne situa- tion when there was a lot of media coverage when two young lads took their own lives within a 48- hour period. I can recall going into that community and there was a feeling from local people of look- ing around and thinking who is next? The coverage caused a lot of hysteria in the area. The aim, in- stead, should be to try and create calmness. “I think there needs to be more of a focus on


prevention. We need to put out a message of giving hope to people. “I know that newspapers need to sell, but when it comes to suicide we are talking about people's lives and we need to act responsibly. “They need to inform people that there is sup-


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port available, including publishing and broadcasting phone and contact numbers.”


Lighthouse: 187 Duncairn Gardens, BT15 028 90755070, www.lighthouseireland.org


Support: Jo Murphy, co-ordinator of suicide group Lighthouse


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