Alexander McQueen suicide: media briefing from Samaritans

Thursday 11 February 2010

Contact: Robyn Clark

Phone: +44 (0)20 8394 8348/ +44 (0)7943 809162

Email: r.clark@samaritans.org

Alexander McQueen suicide: media briefing from Samaritans

Samaritans sent the briefing note below to all national and regional media following news of Alexander McQueen’s suspected suicide:

Following media coverage of Alexander McQueen’s suspected suicide and in anticipation of the further coverage we would expect from the tragic death of such a prominent figure, we would appreciate it if you could bear in mind Samaritans’ media guidelines for the reporting of suicide:

http://www.samaritans.org/pdf/SamaritansMediaGuidelines-UK2008.pdf

A study following the death by suicide of singer Kurt Cobain found that there was not an overall increase in suicide rates in his home town of Seattle, believed to be because reporting differentiated strongly between the brilliance of his life achievements and the wastefulness of his death. It may have also helped that media coverage discussed risk factors and identified sources of help for people experiencing suicidal feelings.  

Young or vulnerable people (those experiencing emotional distress or suicidal feelings) and family, friends and colleagues who have been bereaved by suicide can be particularly affected by the reporting of suicide as it may exacerbate their feelings of distress about their own personal situation.

We would therefore be grateful if you could include details of our emotional support helpline where appropriate: call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org

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Notes to Editors

Samaritans

Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged.  Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.  The service is offered by 16,534 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support.  Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information. Calls from BT will be charged at up to 2 pence per minute at all times. A call set-up fee of 7 pence applies to calls from residential lines. Mobile and other providers' charges may vary.