For Media

Media: A crucial partner in safety

Behavioral health conditions, including mental and substance use disorders, are a major public health issue. Language and the meanings attached to words often impact, influence, develop and change the attitudes toward these disorders. StarkMHAR encourages local media to join the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in pledging to cover suicide-related deaths through safe reporting practices to protect those who are most vulnerable, respect surviving families, and save lives.

More about reporting on suicide

The way media cover suicide can influence behavior negatively by contributing to contagion or positively by encouraging help-seeking. Media and online coverage of suicide should be informed by using best practices.