In the Northern Edition of the Sunday World published on the 1^st November 2009 a very graphic picture of the body of a young man hanging from a bridge in Bangor was the lead article on page 1. The very graphic picture was supported by two separate articles, which contained very specific details around the state of the body, and some highly speculative theories as to how the young man died. These theories included suicide and murder - however the paper in the article clearly admitted it had no credible evidence to support any of these theories.

The World Health Organisation’s guidance ‘A resource for Media Professionals’ originally published in the year 2000 identifies the danger of inappropriate reporting of suicides leading to imitative or copycat suicides. A twenty year study in the United States examined 33 months where there was a suicide reported on the front page of a newspaper – in 26 of those months there was a significant increase in the number of suicides.

The media guidance issued by the WHO to avoid copycat suicides includes the following:

·         Avoid prominent placement of stories about suicide – specifically do not report them on the front page.

·         Avoid explicit description of the method used as this may lead to an increase in the use of this method

·         Avoid providing detailed information about the site of the suicide as this may lead to an increase in the number of suicides at that site

·         Avoid using photographs and if any images are to be used ask permission of the family – bereaved family members are at heightened risk of suicide themselves.

The publication of the photograph of a young man hanging from a bridge in Bangor on the front page of the Sunday World broke every one of the above guidelines and is likely to have increased the risk of copycat suicides here over the next month.

The WHO also identifies the positive impact the media can make when reporting suicides through educating the public about suicide and by informing those concerned about the story where to go for advice or help. Unfortunately the Sunday World did not provide any guidance as requested by the WHO for those who may have been distressed by the article and photograph.

Equally important but more difficult to assess is the impact on people in are communities who have lost a loved one to suicide. As a father who has lost a son to suicide I was shocked at the image of that young man hanging from a bridge. I believe I am fortunate to have been spared the distress and anguish of seeing my son before the police removed him to the morgue. However this photograph has deeply disturbed me and I have now have to deal with images of my son similar to your photograph.

It is six years since I lost my son and I found your article very difficult to deal with – it brought me back to the start of my grieving process. Whilst this was the impact on me what has been the impact of those who have recently been bereaved in similar circumstances – never mind the impact on the family of this young man.

Dealing with a suicide is a difficult and complicated process with many questions that can never be answered because the one person who has the answers is no longer with us – your unsubstantiated theories as to how this young man died has made the grieving of this family and many other families much more difficult.

I would like to offer my condolences to this young man’s family and friends and offer any advice or support that we can give.

PMcT