Live from the Specialized Reporting Institute
By Nancy
Lane, president, Local Media Association
Steve
Moore, Illinois Chapter Board Member, American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention, Chicago, IL
Suicide & The Economic Downturn
Steve Moore, Board Member, American
Foundation for Suicide Prevention, delivered one of the most powerful presentations
of the entire symposium. He shared intimate details about the death of his
college-age son and urged reporters to be responsible when reporting on
suicides in their communities.
Moore shared some stats to start
the session:
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4th leading cause of death among 18-65; 3rd
leading among younger generation
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Men are nearly 4 times more likely than women
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Vets account for 20% of all suicides
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Nearly 37,000 deaths in the US per year from suicide
Suicide rates went down from 1993 to 2000 and have since gone back
up (12 out of every 1,000 people)
Suicide risk factors include:
-
Demographics: Males, Elderly Caucasian
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Precipitating event – loss of loved one or economic strain
-
90% of people who die by suicide have an underlying psychiatric
disorder
According to Moore, "You can’t blame economic strain on it’s
own for the increase in suicide rates. It is only in combination with other
risk factors that it occurs". The economy IS impacting suicide prevention
efforts however.
Three strategies for preventing suicide:
-
Early
recognition and vigorous treatment of underlying mental disorders such as
depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol and substance abuse disorders
-
Restricting
access to lethal methods of suicide (barriers on bridges/buildings), safe gun
storage, fencing along train tracks, less toxic pesticides
-
Safe and
responsible media reporting about suicide
Moore urged attendees to not sensationalize when reporting on
suicides. He does not believe that graphic details about the method used are
necessary and in fact do more harm. He does believe that suicides should be
covered but in a responsible way. This means including suicide prevention tips
and information on how to get help with every story.
Thanks to the McCormick Foundation for sponsoring this two-day
reporting symposium.