Language matters

Language Do's & Don'ts

Using inappropriate language can increase stigma or sensationalise a death, while careful use of language can help balance the coverage, and minimise distress to bereaved family members and friends. 

Do's

• Share information about how suicide is preventable, this can let people know the role we can all play.
• Signpost to support such as services available locally or Lifeline, Northern Ireland's 24/7 helpline for people in distress or despair.

Don'ts

• Don't use language that sensationalises suicide, avoid terms such as 'suicide epidemic' or 'hot spot' or implying the death was easy, painless or inevitable.
• Don't talk or write about the method of suicide or the location, particularly if a public site.
• Don't speculate as to the reasons why someone may have ended their life, this can oversimplify the complex reasons that leads to someone taking their own life.
• Limit the amount of stories about the death, whether online or in the media.
• Don't link to other stories about suicide.
• If online, consider turning the comments section off, this can limit the risk of comments that may sensationalise suicide or inapproriate links.
• Don't overshare pictures or videos particularly if emotive or sensational. This can lead vulnerable people to over-identify with the deceased. 

Remember to be particularly cautious when talking about the death of a young person as young people are more susceptible to contagion. 

Samaritans' media guidelines

Sharing the right information

Before you communicate about suicide, take some time to think about why you want to share this. Reflect on how the information you share could affect other people and whether or not there is a safer or more helpful way to communicate this information.

Speculation about a death or the circumstances surrounding a person dying can easily be misreported or wrongly repeated as fact. Double check the reliability and trustworthiness of online sources of information. Consider if it really needs to be shared. 

Consider the impact on families and friends before using or sharing images on social media to illustrate a story. Emotive imagery can be very distressing for families and friends, and can glamourise a death or lead vulnerable individuals to over-identify with the deceased. 

Instead share information about how suicide is preventable and what professional support is available, such as Lifeline, Northern Ireland's 24/7 crisis helpline.