Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

[JP] Corrêa Carvalho - يوحنا بولس via Flickr

Column When suicide hits the media, how do we deal with it?

A call to a Dublin radio station last week sparked debate over the public discussion of suicide, writes Derek Chambers. We should look at changing the conversation.

THE RISE IN Irish suicide rates in the 1990s has been described as stemming from “the historical experience of cultural collisions: collisions between the vestiges of traditional community and accelerated modern society.”*

Such collisions happen at times of considerable social change whereby older ways of life are becoming redundant but new ways of life have not yet begun, leading to a lack of moral consensus.

A similar treatment of suicide in modern Ireland was developed by Smyth and colleagues (2003) who described how “cultural change in Ireland may disorient people, how it may slowly unhinge them from traditional social values and supports that perhaps have never been known to have any explicit link to mental health or suicide”.

In 2013, we are once again experiencing seriously disruptive and unsettling social change driven largely by new economic circumstances. So many of us are now faced with either the reality or the prospect of our livelihoods being taken away while financial commitments can’t be abandoned. Similarly, while official figures don’t yet confirm it, there is a strong feeling based on anecdotal accounts that suicidal behavior is increasing. An increase in social problems is often symptomatic of social change and, in turn, we need to figure out and negotiate new ways of talking about these problems, including suicide.

Crisis in public

The events last week, when a suicidal crisis was played out in public, live on air, sparked a wave of public discussion on suicide and mental health. Private troubles had truly become the subject of public concern and permission was granted for a public conversation. When these conversations take place, there is an opportunity to increase our understanding of the cultural context of suicidal behaviour and communicate hopeful and positive messages to each other as we try to make sense of what’s going on in our society. Does this happen?

There are many voices speaking on this issue, but who is listening? At times like this we need to think about those around us who may be going through a tough time and the impact of our public conversation on how they’re feeling. We should reflect and ask questions about how we should discuss these issues; whether we should discuss them at all; would we benefit from a short-term media blackout on the subject of suicide?

What’s most likely is that positive conversations with hopeful messages will help. Many people in communities throughout Ireland are experiencing tough times and if we can foster a culture that encourages people to reach out and talk to each other then maybe we can begin to help each other through these tough times.

Change the conversation

We’ve been here before, as have many societies across the world. A few years ago a suicide prevention worker in Alaska set herself the task of changing the conversation about suicide in the village where she worked. Her strategy was to build cultural awareness that would allow young villagers to connect the past to the present in a meaningful way, facilitating a deeper understanding of contemporary life.

The idea behind her strategy was that a more positive, better informed conversation about culture can help to bridge the alienating gap between the generations and enhance social cohesion in order to face up to challenges in a shared, purposive and positive way. The entire premise of this approach is based on a conception of community members as meaningful social actors, constructing a healthier, more positive cultural understanding of life. The alternative approach represents the path of least resistance and might be characterised by a morbid focus on individual, private tragedies.

In Ireland in 2013, we are where we are. Understanding how we got here is important, but more important is figuring out where we’re going, what kind of society we’re building towards. Given all of the negative conversation ab0ut online communication and the sometimes hopeless conversations about mental health maybe now is a good time and here is a good place to come together and change the conversation in Ireland.

Even though it might not always feel like it, there is a lot we can do to help each other – encouraging hope and belief based on a shared understanding of Irish society might be a good place to start. We’re good at talking, we’re good at nurturing a sense of community and we care about those around us. Let’s begin to foster those positive qualities.

Derek Chambers is the director of programmes and policy for Inspire Ireland. Inspire runs reachout.com, a website to help young people get through tough times with information anxiety, depression, mental health and well-being.

*Keohane and Chambers, 2003

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, as well as reachout.com you can also contact the following organisations:

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
30 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maureen Mc Gourty
    Favourite Maureen Mc Gourty
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 7:11 AM

    Excellent article .

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne Clarke
    Favourite Anne Clarke
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 8:13 AM

    Great article. The most important thing we continue an open dialogue. Show that it’s not an option. It’s become to easy for young people as a choice. Keeping communication open and listen is the key. This government and the NRA has spent millions reducing road deaths now to just 119 this year. Suicide has reached 650 and more as some road deaths are suicides. When will they sit up and pay attention and start protecting vulnerable people. When will mental health become a priority. How many must lose their lives?? How many more families must be ripped open to thus tragedy?? Teenagers as young as 13!!! It’s time not just yo talk but to start screaming!

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bacoxy
    Favourite bacoxy
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 10:30 AM

    That was meant for the comment above

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rehan Siddiqi
    Favourite Rehan Siddiqi
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 7:36 AM

    Family and social support are of vital preventative essence in society against suicide being chosen as the only way out. The mentality that success is everything and materialistic acquisitions are the sole measure of that are also to blame for the current vulnerability in this regards in society with the erosion of the earlier mentioned factors and the urban drift. With changing times, religious beliefs as supportive factors have gradually eroded as well.
    Awareness of Mental Illness markers and awareness of diagnosis by Gp’s plus easy accessibility to specialists services as well as public education initiatives are all essential facets of ways of fighting against this sad and tragic act.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cavanbythesea
    Favourite cavanbythesea
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 8:00 AM

    Well said, dealing with suicide and mental health and illness is not just about providing mental health services…

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rachel Carroll
    Favourite Rachel Carroll
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 9:58 AM

    People need to talk to each other. The media has glamourised suicide and in many cases made it appear like the only way out. Suicide can be prevented but only if it is not glorified.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lochlann Scott
    Favourite Lochlann Scott
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 10:06 AM

    ? sorry Rachel but I have to disagree about the media, if it were not for the media suicide would still be a far more taboo subject then it is now. Also I don’t see where you are coming from with the media glorifying suicide and making it an easy way out. From the bits I’ve seen the media actually lets people see the devastation that is left behind and I would personally think that this is one way for people with suicidal ideations to maybe think twice!

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Molloy
    Favourite Joseph Molloy
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 7:29 AM

    warm, and inspiring article

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat O Neill
    Favourite Pat O Neill
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 11:50 AM

    There have always been a certain amount of suicides due to mental illness but the current spike appears to have more to do with people’s inability to accept their circumstances. I wonder how many would give up the idea if they were given to understand that we are in fact far more free and successful in Ireland than so many millions in Africa and India etc. We are quite selfish to consider ourselves hard done by when in fact we have so many of the things that others would dearly love for themselves and their families – water, democracy, medical care, the DSP, education etc. OK it’s not fun taking a hit but we’ll survive.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Penelope Wizzlehurst
    Favourite Penelope Wizzlehurst
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 12:07 PM

    What an inappropriate, thoughtless comment.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maria
    Favourite Maria
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 1:21 PM

    I don’t agree with him but he is entitled to his opinion nonetheless.

    5
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute marcoop
    Favourite marcoop
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 3:06 PM

    Oh piss off Pat, seriously, do you think someone with mental illness or full on depression is going to give a flying fuk about someone in another country a few thousand miles away? depression is an overpowering, consuming, dark and horrible experience. You go through days regretting you woke up, you don’t feed yourself, you barely get out of bed. Do you think the solution to that is some plonker coming along going, ‘hey, get over it and look at these poor sods being shit on in another country?’ the truth is you close in on yourself and the outside world no longer satisfies any of your needs because the truth is you have none, you lose every desire and need or want for anything, so basically you don’t give a shit about anyone, including yourself which can ultimately be fatal to some people.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute marcoop
    Favourite marcoop
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 3:13 PM

    and just to also add, i am not suffering from depression, i live a great fulfilled life but i’ve seen the other side too, a long time ago.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mjhint
    Favourite Mjhint
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 3:14 PM

    To be fair Penelope I doubt the thoughlessness is the issue. Its the lack of knowlodge & education. The person that made that comment has no understanding of suicide. Its a huge problem in Ireland. It is getting better though we are opening up & trying to make it better. However you can see we have a long way to go. People that consider or commit suicide are not selfish or stupid. They above all else are very unwell.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maria
    Favourite Maria
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 1:24 PM

    Strong family support is very important. I also think it is important to stop the blame game when a person dies by suicide. It’s usually a build up of factors and one person or one thing cannot be entirely to blame.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Hayward
    Favourite Catherine Hayward
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 10:50 AM

    Suicide should be spoken about anywhere, anytime, anyplace, we should talk about it until it becomes easy to discuss , because until that time young people mainly will not feel capable of admitting their worries, it,s not a taboo subject anymore, it is real and scary and people must feel they can talk about Suicide or any other worries so they can get real help and not feel alone, being afraid of this subject won’t make it go away….

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Riain
    Favourite Declan Riain
    Report
    Jan 16th 2013, 1:55 PM

    An interesting part of the debate is if/when does society *allow* suicide as an option?

    Remember, a woman went to the High Court last week to try to force the state to *allow* her to commit suicide (with assistance, as she is unable to do so alone).

    I feel that there is often a gross misunderstanding of where a person is when they make the ultimate of ultimate decisions.

    By definition, a person must be in an intolerable situation to take their own life. If we say such an act is always “wrong”, are we insisting that such people have to tolerate the intolerable?

    Of course, I am NOT suggesting that suicide is the “right” answer. But it is an answer that has always existed and always will exist. It is part of human behaviour and has been used thru history as relief from insufferable situations – in particular physical pain (e.g. if under torture or medical treatment), or philosophical conundra (e.g. to take your life so that others may live, as with Cpt Oates with Scott in Antartica.)

    Yet, while we generally accept suicide as necessary (or even noble) under these intolerable circumstances, we seem to reject it as regards intolerable mental anguish.

    This may be due to the mistaken belief that all mental pain can be cured and that someone in mental anguish is incapable of a rational decision.

    Both presumptions are false.

    Not all mental anguish can be cured. People live with it their whole lives, often in a terrible state.

    In addition, recent media discussion repeatedly tell us to treat people with mental anguish/depression as normal. That is, to (rightly) allow them to participate as normal in everyday life and retain control of their own lives, e.g. to let them work as normal, live independently and engage as normal, whilst being aware of & understanding of their condition.

    If that is so, do we not *allow* them to take control of the most important & final of decisions?

    If not, are we being hypocritical? Are we saying, “you are not capable of such a decision & we do not respect it”?

    And just so people do NOT misunderstand me – I DO NOT say suicide is the way out. It is not the answer, especially for adolescents who are still developing cognitively and likely unaware of all their options, or simply do not have access to them.

    I understand that many people who commit suicide do so despite that fact that alternatives exist. These people should be helped.

    But we should also be aware that someone who commits suicide is not always “wrong”.

    We must allow them the respect that they take their own life as the ultimate & most personal of final decisions.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lochlann Scott
    Favourite Lochlann Scott
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 10:01 AM

    Great article, yes the way we talk about suicide and mental health needs to change and the way to do this is by getting communities involved, so actually talking about it (not just in quiet tones about ‘did ya hear about so and so?’) in the community is the way forward .

    If people feel it is ok to talk about their mental health just like they would talk about a flu or similar ailment/health issue there would be a lot more people getting the help they need just through society in general. Reduce the stigma and increase the wellbeing.

    @cavanbytesea sorry but I disagree the amount that we invest in mental health services is less now in comparison to the 80s! That is just disgraceful. Less fire fighting and more fire prevention in the mental health services equals better results for all.

    Lochlann
    http://www.helplink.ie

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute cavanbythesea
    Favourite cavanbythesea
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 10:26 AM

    To be sure we could invest more in services but there is something to be said for improving social factors of suicide – addressing issues of alienation, abuse, empowering people to help themselves and others by just being there for your neighbour, friend and family and be willing to listen and talk ….

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bacoxy
    Favourite bacoxy
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 8:18 AM

    There’s always one…

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cornelius Crow
    Favourite Cornelius Crow
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 12:09 PM

    To me the problem isn’t Suicide. The problem lies in the months that you spot something out of shape with someone who eventually takes their own life.
    You point out little things to your friends, they laugh at you, you say stuff like I dont think he or she is getting along in life and they look down but no one listens. You try get involved to point out peoples flaws other people tell you to mind your own business. I and You know loads of people who we think are Suicidal but are we to mention it to anyone?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Hayward
    Favourite Catherine Hayward
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 12:27 PM

    Pat, you clearly don’t get it, and that is fine perhaps life has not affected you in that terrible way, i pray it never does…

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán O' Sullivan
    Favourite Seán O' Sullivan
    Report
    Jan 18th 2013, 10:10 PM

    Discussion about depression, particularly among young men on the late late again tonight. Glad to see this topic getting the attention it deserves and dealt with in an open, frank manner.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gordon Lucas
    Favourite Gordon Lucas
    Report
    Jan 17th 2013, 10:08 AM

    Interesting article, and I’m pleased to see that it did not take a medical-model approach to the problem of suicide.
    I agree that we need to examine “what kind of society we’re building towards,” but, in doing so, we also need to acknowledge that doing so is painful. To look at what we are building we need to look at where we are, and that is not a good place!
    We appear to be continuing to build a society that believes money to be the most important thing (“the markets, the markets the markets”). A destructive system that enslaves us, and forces us to engage with the global self-destruction. We have a Mental Illness System, that ignores the life-circumstances of it’s victims and claims to correct their malaise with pills. It is a hopeless model that tells you, without any objective evidence whatsoever, that your brain is not working right. It medicalises an emotional problem.
    Politically, we have a system that does not represent it’s voters. Environmentally we are putting a plaster on severed limbs. Socially, the only value we are really promoting is wealth – everything else seems to be secondary. I believe we are mostly caring individuals but we are building a very uncaring society.

    Suicide doesn’t just happen. The reasoning is obviously complex, but we cannot ignore that it is quintessentially an existential question.

    For me at least, to say “suicide is not an option”, exemplifies the denial our society lives in. It is an option! It is an option that means your last moments of life are horrific, and in the wake of your death you leave intense grief.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Hayward
    Favourite Catherine Hayward
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 2:37 PM

    Cornelius, just approach him not the Family, i know it seems difficult, but you may be surprised at his reaction, even if he knocks you back, you are letting him know someone cares, and it would be food for thought, either way fair play to you for being interested, sometimes it is easier to talk with a stranger, i know this for sure i do a little work in this area by the way thank you for your reply…..

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat O Neill
    Favourite Pat O Neill
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 5:30 PM

    The original comments were specifically not in relation to sufferers of mental illness, depression included.
    Unfortunately a lot of the cases occurring recently were by people with no history of mental issues – which is what makes it even more upsetting to loved ones and difficult to come up with solutions. There is an element of impulsive thinking – perhaps after a lot of drink for example. My point is that they are cases which might have been prevented with the suicide having a more broad spectrum self image in a wider context than the experience of the last few years of “bust”. We all need to keep our situation in perspective and some are more vulnerable than others.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine Hayward
    Favourite Catherine Hayward
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 12:24 PM

    Cornelius, the problem is Suicide, because that can be the outcome, it does not matter what other people think, if you know someone who seems out of sorts, you just quietly tell them if they need to talk you would be happy to listen ( in confidence) if needs be, a simple thing like that can save a life, if they tell you to get lost fine you offered, that’s the main thing…..

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cornelius Crow
    Favourite Cornelius Crow
    Report
    Jan 15th 2013, 12:42 PM

    Yes i agree with your points that people should talk to people who look to be out of sorts, Thats also the point I was making. What my problem is that we haven’t developed that in Ireland yet. I can think of one person I know at the moment who I dont see coping well. This person isn’t a close friend but how does a normal joe soap like myself approach this person or even approach his family to voice concerns without looking like a lunatic?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aine Nibhern
    Favourite Aine Nibhern
    Report
    Jan 17th 2013, 12:11 PM

    Is this a reflection on how Irish society respond to suicide and mental health issues?

    “Man who threatened suicide on radio show appears in court”: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2013/0112/1224328743170.html

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gordon Lucas
    Favourite Gordon Lucas
    Report
    Jan 17th 2013, 12:41 PM

    I wonder what the “strict conditions” were. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them was an order to take drugs.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds