Why is it Important to Cover Suicide Responsibly in Young Adult Fiction and How Can This be Achieved?

Using the World Health Organisation’s 'Preventing Suicide: A Resource for Media Professionals', Janette Taylor looks at how suicide can be covered in a constructive and responsible way by YA authors.

Abstract

Over recent years, there has been growing concern about the mental well-being of young people. Those who are suffering from mental ill-health represent a vulnerable group who could, studies suggest, be influenced by what they view or read. There is compelling evidence that exposure to coverage of suicide in the news or in fictional media can put vulnerable individuals at risk of imitative suicide. I contend that writers of fiction have a duty of care to avoid including content that will increase the risk of suicide amongst vulnerable individuals. However, not all aspects of suicide coverage are negative. Exposure to accounts of suicidal behaviours can have a positive effect in that it can be used to educate, provide solutions to problems and show ways to cope with suicidal thoughts . Using the World Health Organisation’s Preventing Suicide: A Resource for Media Professionals, this essay looks at how suicide can be covered in a constructive and responsible way and considers the positive and negative aspects of suicide coverage in three novels aimed at the Young Adult market: All the Things We Never Said by Yasmin Rahman; Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven.