News

As two organisations working together on the Mindframe initiative to improve media reporting and reduce stigma around mental illness, SANE Australia and Everymind remind the media and organisations advocating in this space to take care with how people living with mental illness are framed.

The StigmaWatch program has received numerous reports from community members with concerns about current reporting on mental health concerns in relation to the upcoming Federal election, the Bondi Junction anniversary and forthcoming inquest, recent NSW psychiatrist resignations and doctor strikes, and broader mental health reforms.

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Australian media professionals are reminded to apply Mindframe guidelines when reporting on the death of Liam Payne. There is evidence that speculating about the death of a celebrity can contribute to distress in the community. Care should be taken not to speculate about the death until further details are known.

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Everymind Director, Dr Jaelea Skehan, and Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Director, Professor Pat Dudgeon, have provided their analysis on the recent release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023 Causes of Death data. This data set includes annual national suicide information.

Everymind, in collaboration with members of its Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG), has co-created new guidance to support people with a lived experience of suicide to share their stories safely and effectively.

Our stories matter: Sharing lived and living experiences of suicide publicly is a suite of resources featuring guidelines, a series of video interviews with LEAG members providing advice based on their own storytelling experiences, a workbook to prepare for sharing, and guidance for self-care and avoiding burnout. An easy-read summary version is also available.

The Mindframe program has been awarded accreditation against the Suicide Prevention Australia Standards, second edition.

Australian media professionals are asked to consider the impact of sustained, high-volume media coverage on other young people and the community in reporting on the recent death of 12 year old school student, Charlotte O’Brien.

This death, and the subsequent reporting, has caused high levels of distress and increased risk of suicide across multiple schools in the area. Reducing coverage at this time can help support the schools and services to manage this distress, and reduce the risk of further suicidal behaviour in the community.

Australian media professionals are reminded to apply Mindframe guidelines when reporting on the findings of the Victorian coronial inquest into the suicide deaths of five trans and gender diverse people in 2020 and 2021, scheduled for release tomorrow.

Due to the nature of a coronial inquest, the findings will include investigation of the method of suicide and/or ways to reduce access to means as part of the process. Avoid providing explicit details about suicide methods and locations as this can prompt further suicidal behaviour in the community. If necessary, it is recommended to discuss method in general terms only.

Australian media professionals are reminded to apply Mindframe guidelines when reporting on the tragic events that have taken place in Boolaroo involving the death of a minor.

It is recommended to avoid speculation about the mental health status of those involved. 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 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.