Guidelines on suicide reporting

The Alex Panton Foundation held a workshop on Tuesday, 27 May 2025 at The Wellness Hub, Cayman Business Park, aimed at fostering dialogue, awareness, and understanding around mental health in the community. From this dialogue, it has published a series of guidelines to help news outlets and social media reporting sensitively inform on the tragedy of a suicide.

The Foundation, specifically established to help young people with mental health issues, explained that suicide was a public health issue, and should be reported as such.

“A common, serious mistake made by media outlets worldwide is that suicide is investigated, researched and reported in a similar way to writing about crime,” they said. “Global research studies have found that the ‘wrong kind’ of news coverage can increase the likelihood of suicide in vulnerable people. The increase directly corresponds with the frequency and prominence of coverage.”

AFP worried about the risk of ‘copycat’ suicides which increased when a story detailed the suicide method, used dramatic headlines or images, and extensive coverage sensationalised a death.

“Covering suicide carefully and succinctly generally has a positive effect. It can change misconceptions and correct rumours, signpost to support services available, and encourage at-risk members of the community to seek help,” they advised.

Newspaper reporting should follow careful guidelines.

“The use of the word ‘suicide’ should be avoided in headlines. In the instance of death by suicide, compassion should be shown to those bereaved and headlines should be carefully factual and not emotive,” they said.

For example, in the headline, it could be noted that someone had died but not that they had died by suicide. They encouraged people to exercise extreme caution in using photos or video footage. In these days of social media ruling the “news” circuits, AFP had particular comment on the sharing of content relating to suicide online.

“Photos or filming at the location of the death should not be included and extreme caution must be exercised when using an image of the individual,” they advised. “Explicit permission from family members should be obtained before images are published. Include local support organisation logos and resources in the story. Suicide notes should not be published under any circumstances.”

Help is on hand

That being said, AFP did feel that suicide reporting could be used as a platform to encourage those at-risk to get help and had put together some useful information to include in stories. This included helping people understand the warning signs of someone who may be thinking about suicide, such as talking about death or wanting to die, acting anxiously, in a depressed, agitated or reckless state. People should look out for those who are tearful or overwhelmed by negativity, withdrawing or increasingly feeling isolated or feeling severe remorse and self-criticism. Those who maybe feeling hopeless, unwanted or as though they have no purpose could be considering suicide, as could those  talking about feeling trapped or in extreme pain, or perhaps displaying changes in behaviour such as extreme mood swings, as well as those giving away possessions, showing signs of increased drug or alcohol use and saying goodbye to loved ones.

Anyone worried that someone might be suicidal can help them in the following ways: encourage open conversation and signpost themself as a safe and trusted person to talk to; remove anything that could be used in a suicide attempt; ensure they seek professional help and encourage them to attend a support group. In an emergency dial 911.

The AFP said it was important to know where to find support for vulnerable people. For information about services and organisations available in the Cayman Islands visit www.alexpantonfoundation.ky/resources/

The AFP has its own resources under the Foundation’s umbrella, including the APF Kids Helpline which provides emotional support listening service for children under 18 or adults looking to support youth. The Phoneline is: 649-5437(KIDS) and Textline is available through www.kidshelpline.ky/contactus  Operational Hours: Thursdays - Sundays @ 3pm - 9pm. Their website and App also provides educational information on mental health topics, with tips on how to recognise if someone is struggling, healthy coping mechanisms, and how to get someone help. The website is kidshelpline.ky  and the App can be found by searching ‘Cayman Kids Helpline’ - available in the Apple Store and Google Play. Once the app is downloaded to a device, the educational information is available without WiFi or data to increase accessibility. They also have a Teen Talk Virtual Support Group, facilitated by Dr Shari Smith for children between the ages of 13 – 17. This takes place the first Monday of each month @ 5:30pm - 6:30pm. Register at www.alexpantonfoundation.ky/teen-talk/  Email: edu@alexpantonfoundation.ky  Their Breaking Barriers Virtual Support Group  is facilitated by APF Young Adult Youth Ambassadors for young people between the ages of 18 – 30, held on the third Tuesday of each month @ 6:30pm - 7:30pm Register at www.alexpantonfoundation.ky/support/  Email: edu@alexpantonfoundation.ky

AFP can also provide a raft of professionals available on island who can help you help someone you may know who is having suicidal thoughts. Help is on hand in the Cayman Islands.