Vol. 536 No. 5
68 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the booklet, Media Guidelines on Portrayal of Suicide, by the Samaritans and the Irish Association of Suicidology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14850/01]
The booklet Media Guidelines on the Portrayal of Suicide was published jointly by the Samaritans and the Irish Association of Suicidology in January 2000. Suicide is now a major public health problem. Although the number of deaths attributed to suicide is still high, I am pleased to inform the House that the 413 deaths from suicide in 2000 represents a decrease on both the 1999 figure of 439 and the 1998 figure of 504. While these figures are encouraging, suicide remains the most common cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds in Ireland, exceeding deaths due to cancer and road traffic accidents. A disturbing feature is the significant number of male suicides, in particular young men and men aged 65 years.
Media coverage of suicidal behaviour should project an objective yet preventive message, as well as educate and inform the public about the subject. It is felt that by providing the public with information about the warning signs of suicide, how to help, who to call, and where to get help, the media could help prevent potential suicides by providing a positive and preventive message to balance the story.
I welcome the fact that organisations like the Samaritans and the Irish Association of Suicidology should co-operate in the production of guidelines for the portrayal of suicide in the media. The guidelines have been produced to help those working in the media in this area. They do not seek to dictate, rather they hope to offer some help to the journalist in resolving his or her own professional, and sometimes personal, dilemma.
In the past there was an understandable reluctance to even discuss the issue of suicide. This situation is now changing. In general, the media has been sensitive in its reporting of suicides. There is evidence to suggest that sensitive reporting may have a positive influence on those people at risk of suicide and I fully support the publication of the guidelines on the portrayal of suicide in the media.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Does he agree that certain types of media reporting can have the opposite effect to that suggested by him in that they can encourage copycat suicides as they glamorise or sensationalise suicide? Such coverage refers to the suicide of high profile people who might be deemed leaders of society or of their peer groups, whether pop singers and so on. Such reporting can have a contagion effect whereby it can lead to suicides.
I accept the Minister's comments on the effects of positive media coverage and it is important that the media treats suicide in the manner he has outlined. However, there is concern regarding the manner in which some reporting effects those who are feeling suicidal and bereaved families when they see the suicide of their loved ones depicted in a sensationalised manner.
I accept the Deputy's comments. Having attended a number of seminars given by experts I accept that the danger of copycat suicides is a real issue of which the media and educators generally have to be extremely careful. We also have to be conscious of the bereaved. Organisations have been established to comfort the bereaved. Any public commentary or media treatment of suicide must take extreme care and show sensitivity to the bereaved.
Does the Minister agree we should not leave it to the Samaritans and the Irish Association of Suicidology to make all the running regarding media standards? Does he further agree there may be some merit in appointing a designated officer in the Department who would automatically write to the press when it crosses the line by reporting suicides in such a way as to possibly contribute to the incidence of suicide? Does he see a role for his Department in this regard, or does he think it should be left entirely to non-governmental organisations?
I will have to consider that issue. Non-governmental organisations, such as the Irish Association of Suicidology and the Samaritans, have a significant role to play as they possess expertise in this area. People come and go and are promoted within the Civil Service.
What about the Department's media monitoring unit? It has plenty of time.
We must move on.
We have dedicated—
That unit is very dedicated.
We wish to have an orderly Question Time.
—officials working in the mental health area who deal with a wide range of issues concerning mental health and suicide. I would not spontaneously reject the suggestion but—
The Minister's minute has concluded.
The partnership between the Department and voluntary organisations is important. The Department should be there in a supportive capacity and should learn and listen.
There is a time limit on questions. If Members on either side are unhappy with that time limit they should raise the matter with the committee on Dáil reform.
