This important ground rule is not always respected by the media and civil society organisations. It is particularly important to avoid this given the risks of suicide contagion, when one suicide leads to a spike in suicides in a particular community or as a result of media reports. Speculating about a single cause or trigger of a suicide oversimplifies what happened and can appear to paint suicide as an inevitable outcome of a particular event. The causes of a particular suicide are invariably complex and multifaceted – and can include external sources of stress and how easily someone is able to access help and support, as well as issues with their own mental health that may be hidden from their loved ones. But framing conversations about suicide in the wrong way can have ill effects. Suicide prevention charities like the Samaritans are clear that talking about suicide openly is overwhelmingly positive because suicide is preventable, and removing some of the stigma and shame can make it easier for people feeling suicidal to reach out for help.
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