@article{ref1,
title="Have news reports on suicide and attempted suicide during the CoViD-19 pandemic adhered to guidance on safer reporting?",
journal="Crisis",
year="2022",
author="Marzano, Lisa and Hawley, Monica and Fraser, Lorna and Harris-Skillman, Eva and Lainez, Yasmine and Hawton, Keith",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Associations between sensational news coverage of suicide and increases in suicidal behavior have been well documented. Amid growing concern over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates, it is especially important that news coverage adheres to recommended standards. <br><br>METHOD: We analyzed the quality and content of print and online UK news reports of possible COVID-19-related suicides and suicide attempts in the first 4 months of the pandemic (N = 285). <br><br>RESULTS: The majority of reports made explicit links between suicidal behavior and the COVID-19 pandemic in the headline (65.5%), largely based on statements by family, friends, or acquaintances of the deceased (60%). The impact of the pandemic on suicidal behavior was most often attributed to feelings of isolation (27.4%), poor mental health (14.7%), and entrapment due to government-imposed restrictions (14.4%). Although rarely of poor overall quality, reporting was biased toward young people, frontline staff, and relatively unusual suicides and, to varying degrees, failed to meet recommended standards (e.g., 41.1% did not signpost readers to sources of support). Limitations: This analysis cannot account for the impact of reporting on suicide. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Careful attention must be paid to the quality and content of reports, especially as longer-term consequences of the pandemic develop.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0227-5910",
doi="10.1027/0227-5910/a000856",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000856"
}