Generally, suicide is thought of as a personal health issue and not necessarily news. Coverage is handled on a case-by-case basis. Coverage often is contemplated when a suicide happens in a public setting or when it involves a person known by the public.
To discourage copycat suicides, avoid or minimize reporting specific details of the method the victim used in taking his/her life, avoid descriptions of a suicide as unexplainable, such as he had everything going for him. Avoid reporting romanticized versions of the reasons for the suicide, e.g. they wanted to be together for all eternity and avoid reporting simplistic reasons for suicides such as the boy committed suicide because he has to wear braces on his teeth. The rationale for suicidal thoughts is much deeper.
Consider how you play the story. Consider minimizing harm by not “refering/teasing” to the story. Consider not using the photo of the person who killed him/herself. It will make the suicide less glamorous to someone considering imitating the act. Report suicide in a straightforward manner so suicide does not appear to be exciting. Reports should not make the suicidal person appear admirable nor should they seem to approve of suicide as an alternative. Present alternatives to suicide, such as calling a suicide hotline or getting counseling. Whenever possible, present examples of positive outcomes of people in suicidal crisis.
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