Spotlight on Suicide

It's hard not to notice just how often the topic of suicide has been mentioned, discussed, and covered in the media lately.  More than that, the recent deaths of high-profile individuals seems to have led to this increased media coverage on suicide, which in some cases has further resulted in enhanced awareness, and sincere pleas and calls for action to help prevent suicide, and more especially to better reach and support those harbouring thoughts of suicidality.  

To give you an idea of the breadth of news focusing on suicide, I've compiled a few of the most current and compelling articles and listed them below:

1.  "Let's remember Chris Peloso with a national plan on suicide prevention" by Bob Rae (via The Globe and Mail).
Interesting follow up comments to Rae's article to include:

• "Suicide prevention at odds with right to die" by Susan Martinuk
• "The tragic death of Chris Peloso shows we must treat depression like we can see it" by Tim Powers

2.  "Reducing suicides in Canada: 'This is something we need to do'" by Sammy Hudes (via Ottawa Citizen).

3.  "I've Tried to Commit Suicide and It's Not a Solution" by Andrew Lawton (via Huffington Post).

4. "Bullying, suicide raise complex health issues" by Alison Auld (via Metro News).

5. "As media coverage of suicides becomes more common, debate rages over whether that is a positive change" by Tom Blackwell (via National Post).
Also many are unaware that there are in fact media reporting guidelines for suicide.  The Canadian Psychiatric Assosciation has published these guidelines, and evidence supporting their use, which can be found here: http://publications.cpa-apc.org/media.php?mid=733&xwm=true.

If you have any thoughts regarding suicide being covered by the media (specifically whether it is positive and enforces change, or negative and has the ability to do more harm) or any of these articles, feel free to leave your comments  below, send an email, or visit Beyond The Body on Twitter or Facebook.