AAS Media Guidelines & Safe Messaging 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which research finding most strongly supports the existence of suicide contagion through media?
- The publication of Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther" was followed by a rise in suicides across Europe (Correct answer)
- Suicide rates remain constant regardless of media coverage patterns
- Countries with strict media censorship have higher suicide rates
- Social media use is the primary cause of adolescent suicide
Correct answer: The publication of Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther" was followed by a rise in suicides across Europe
The Werther Effect is named after the surge in suicides following Goethe's 1774 novel, one of the earliest documented contagion events.
Question 2: When reporting on means restriction as a suicide prevention strategy, journalists should:
- Avoid the topic entirely as it implies suicide is preventable
- Describe specific methods to illustrate why restriction is needed
- Explain the concept without specifying lethal methods in detail (Correct answer)
- Only cover means restriction in academic or medical publications
Correct answer: Explain the concept without specifying lethal methods in detail
Journalists can discuss means restriction policy without detailing specific methods, thereby informing without providing harmful information.
Question 3: Which of the following is a recommended practice for social media users posting about personal loss to suicide?
- Share detailed information about the circumstances to raise awareness
- Post graphic images to convey the severity of the loss
- Use language consistent with safe messaging and include crisis resources (Correct answer)
- Avoid any online discussion of the death to prevent triggering others
Correct answer: Use language consistent with safe messaging and include crisis resources
Even personal posts should aim to use safe language and point followers toward crisis support rather than dwelling on method or circumstances.
Question 4: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline should be prominently featured in media coverage primarily because:
- It is a federal mandate for all US publications
- It provides journalists with expert sources for their stories
- It connects at-risk readers or viewers to immediate support (Correct answer)
- It tracks media coverage for research purposes
Correct answer: It connects at-risk readers or viewers to immediate support
The primary purpose of featuring 988 in media is to ensure vulnerable individuals can access immediate help after consuming potentially triggering content.
Question 5: A podcast discussing a friend's suicide should AVOID which of the following?
- Expressing grief and discussing how the death affected the host
- Mentioning that the deceased had struggled with depression
- Describing the specific method the friend used to die (Correct answer)
- Noting that professional help is available to listeners
Correct answer: Describing the specific method the friend used to die
Describing specific methods in any media, including podcasts, violates safe messaging guidelines and can increase contagion risk.
Question 6: Which group requires EXTRA care in media portrayals of suicide due to heightened vulnerability?
- Adults over age 65
- Healthcare professionals
- Adolescents and young adults (Correct answer)
- Rural community members
Correct answer: Adolescents and young adults
Research consistently shows adolescents and young adults are particularly susceptible to contagion effects from suicide-related media.
Question 7: How should a news organization handle a request to interview a recent suicide attempt survivor?
- Conduct the interview immediately to capture authentic emotion
- Ensure adequate time has passed and the person has professional support before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Publish the interview anonymously without the survivor's knowledge
- Ask the survivor to demonstrate the method they used for visual storytelling
Correct answer: Ensure adequate time has passed and the person has professional support before proceeding
Survivors should not be interviewed in the acute phase; waiting ensures they have processed the event and have professional support in place.
AAS Media Guidelines & Safe Messaging 4
Which research finding most strongly supports the existence of suicide contagion through media?