News

Australian media professionals are reminded to apply Mindframe guidelines when reporting on the tragic events that took place in Bondi over the weekend as further details, including background information about the mental health history of the perpetrator, emerge.

Given that media portrayals of mental illness linked to violence and crime can be among the most stigmatising, it is vital that media professionals ensure that this incident is covered safely and responsibly.

Australian media professionals are reminded to apply Mindframe guidelines when reporting on the death of an individual in Preston as further information about this death emerges.

Where media are editing early reports or producing new stories, it is recommended to reduce the amount of detail relating to the method of death. This includes the details that may be shared by witnesses or removing related images.

Everymind is seeking the perspectives of people with lived and living experience of suicide for a new research project that aims to help make the public sharing of their stories safer, less stigmatising and potentially more impactful.

Australian media professionals are reminded to apply Mindframe guidelines when reporting on acts of self-harm. This includes removing graphic images or footage of self-harm, which can increase distress among viewers.

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Mindframe for Journalism Education Ossie Awards, Suhayla Sharif and Freddie Moffat, presented last night at the Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia (JERAA) Conference.

Australian media professionals are reminded to apply Mindframe guidelines when reporting on suspected suicide deaths.

Advice includes avoiding or minimising detailed descriptions of method and location, particularly when reporting from the scene. Research has shown that communicating details of method and location can increase suicidal behaviour in the community. It is recommended to refer to public locations in general and non-descriptive terms.

Media are also asked to be mindful and sensitive to the families and communities affected by this incident and consider the prominence and volume of reporting being released, as prolonged and sustained reporting can have significant lasting negative impacts and can increase risk to those who are vulnerable or distressed.

A study of Australian news media’s coverage of complex mental illness in the context of violent crime has identified significant potential for reporting to minimise risk of perpetuating and reinforcing stigma.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will tomorrow release its 2022 Causes of Death data. This data set will include annual national suicide information.

Media and communications professionals reporting on the data are encouraged to be thoughtful, responsible and accurate to reduce the risk of harm or stigma for those in the community with lived and living experience of mental health concerns and suicide.

The importance of caution when depicting suicide in television and film has been highlighted in a new book examining the ways contemporary media platforms explore themes of dying, death and grief.

Australian media professionals are reminded to apply Mindframe guidelines when reporting on the death of Sinéad O’Connor. There is strong evidence that speculating about suicide, particularly in instances where a celebrity has died, can lead to further suicidal behaviour in the community.