In the dynamic landscape of media, encompassing entertainment, public service announcements, and social media updates, it is crucial to approach messaging concerning suicide-related content responsibly and safely. By emphasizing key messages such as strength, belonging, meaning, purpose, and hope in the face of life's challenges and tragic events, various media platforms have the potential to play a vital role in saving lives. They can also contribute to fostering resilience, dispelling myths, combating stigma, and encouraging individuals to seek help.

The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) advocates for and endorses the idea that Canadian media professionals, entertainment practitioners, creators of public service announcements, and social media users involved in crafting suicide-related content should acquaint themselves with the pertinent recommendations to ensure a responsible and safe approach. To that end, CASP has developed Media Guidelines--Guidelines for Media, Entertainment, Public Service Announcements and Social Media, a resource offers recommendations for mainstream media by organizations and agencies worldwide. Recommendations include practices to avoid in public communications, safe communications for suicide prevention, safe language and images, recommendations for depicting suicide, guides for communicating safely online about suicide, and more. The Guidelines also includes links to a free online course on Responsible Reporting on Suicide for Journalists and guidelines for those impacted by suicide who want to safely share their story.

Additional Resources:

Best Practices and Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide (American Association of Suicidology, et al)

Media Guidelines for Reporting on Suicide 2017 Update of the Canadian Psychiatric Policy Paper