Ohio Suicide Reporting Guidelines

Responsible reporting on suicide has the power to save lives. How you shape a story will minimize suicide contagion for vulnerable individuals and increase awareness of this major public health issue. 

Checklist for Responsible Reporting

Before submitting your story on suicide death, did you:

  • Use preferred language? (e.g., "died by suicide" or "took his/her own life;" not "committed suicide"
  • Use objective, non-sensationalistic language to describe the suicide death?
  • Exclude details about method, location, notes or photos from the scene?
  • Focus on the life of the person versus the death and method?
  • Frame suicide as a preventable form of death?
  • Indicate that suicide is always caused by multiple factors?
  • Convey that suicidal thoughts and behaviors are not weaknesses or flaws and can be reduced with support and treatment?
  • Ensure all links contain reliable information?
  • Consult a mental health or suicide prevention expert?
  • List suicide warning signs and local resources?
Resources for Journalists

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services engaged Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus and the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens to create these tools to assist reporters and editors.

Suicide Reporting and Social Media
 
Resources in Ohio
 
National Resources
 
Crisis Hotline & Text Support
 

Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Spanish speaking
1-888-628-9454

Crisis Text Line
In Ohio, text "4 HOPE" to
741 741
Nationally, text "START"

Ohio Careline
1-800-720-9616
http://mha.ohio.gov/careline

Examples of Perspectives on Suicide

G Warner

Since Grace Warner’s brother took his life in August 2015, it has been her mission to tell this story. Two families, who were brought together by suicide, gave each other hope and strength. (Published October 30, 2017)

D Stage

Dese'Rae L. Stage and Denise Meine-Graham provide survivor perspectives in this production by the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital. (Published February 23, 2017)

N Young

Fall 2017 workshop on Reporting Suicide presented by Nerissa Young, Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, and John Ackermann, Ph.D., Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Preventing Suicide

Individuals share their stories to heal and help others in crisis. This special report was published June 6, 2017, as part of NBC 10 Philadelphia's "Preventing Suicide Breaking the Silence" series.

Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism   Nationwide Children's Hospital