Media should take care before reporting suicide articles

KAKINADA: Professors of Psychology and Social Work Wing of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans)-Bengaluru advised the media to report deaths by suicide with great caution and responsibility, abiding by the guidelines laid down by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Press Council of India (PCI).

The Prof. Anish Cheriyan and Prof. Arya Tirumeni and Eluru District Non-Communicable Diseases Programme officer and Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Programme (RBSK) district coordinator Ch. Manasa organised a media advocacy programme  with the media on reporting deaths by suicide through a Zoom conference at Eluru on Thursday.

The professors said that due to prominence being given to suc news, the weak-minded people can feel death by suicide is a solution to their problem. “This can lead to more suicides,” they averred.

Dr Manasa requested the media to provide vast campaign to the ‘Tele Manas’ toll-free number 14416 which instills confidence among the weak-minded and also in those suffering from psychological problems and curb attempt to die by suicide. “Relatives of such persons and their friends can contact and obtain advice on dealing with situations,” she said adding that news reports should not demoralise society and the weak-minded persons and drive them to die by suicide. She said that the people should know that there is a solution to every big or small problem and the people should sort out their problems with confidence.