MINNEAPOLIS, May 16, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In 2017
Netflix released 13 Reasons Why to a global audience and
extensive concern on the part of experts. A study published
in The Journal of the American Medical Association found a
significant increase in internet searches on suicide following the
release of season 1. As a result and in preparation for the
release of season 2 on May 18, 2018,
an international coalition of leading experts in education, mental
health and suicide prevention have released concerns and
recommendations to youth, parents, educators and
clinicians/professionals.
"We want to make sure the public is aware and prepared for the
release of season 2 so that they can be informed and available to
youth who want to talk about the issues in the series, as well as
for those youth who struggle with the content," said Dr.
Dan Reidenberg, Executive Director
of SAVE who led the coalition. "While we hope that the series
will encourage important conversations and more positive, healthy
behaviors, we also are concerned that the series could have
negative outcomes for some youth."
The coalition of nonprofits, educational and research
institutions, membership organizations, advocacy groups and
professionals issued the statement urging adults to make an effort
to watch the series with youth and to talk with them about the
issues raised in the show. The full statement can be found at
www.13reasonswhytoolkit.org.
Research demonstrates that depictions of violence and self-harm
can increase the likelihood of copycat behaviors. Adolescents
are a vulnerable group and are highly impressionable, frequently
copying others' behaviors or reacting in response to things they
have seen. Such copycat and harmful behaviors displayed on
television and/or in film can lead to harmful outcomes.
"Season 1 included detailed portrayal of suicide, violence and it
represented adults and professionals in a non-caring manner,"
according to Dr. Murad Khan,
President of the International Association for Suicide
Prevention. "By creating a toolkit for young people, adults
and professionals, we can demonstrate constructive and positive
coping skills and encourage recovery and hope."
In order to help reduce the risk of suicide contagion, the
coalition implores media covering this story to be cautious and
follow international messaging recommendations when reporting on
the topic of suicide:
- http://www.reportingonsuicide.org
-
http://www.who.int/mental_health/suicide-prevention/resource_booklet_2017/en/
- http://www.bloggingonsuicide.org
In all media reports, it is important to include factual
information on suicide rates, warning signs of youth suicide
(www.youthsuicidewarningsigns.org), as well as information on
helplines and support services for adolescents and concerned
parents.
When reporting on mass shootings, media are encouraged to follow
recommendations found at:
- http://www.reportingonmassshootings.org
An overview of helplines and support services for people in
distress in different countries, can be accessed via:
https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres
International Coalition Partners
American Academy of
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
American Association of Suicidology
American Psychiatric Association
Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention
British Psychological Society
Danish Research Institute for Suicide Prevention
International Association for Suicide Prevention
International Academy for Suicide Research
Medical University of Vienna,
Center for Public Health, Dept of Social and Preventive
Medicine
Mental Health Foundation of New
Zealand
National Association of School Psychologists
National Council for Behavioral Health
National Suicide Research Foundation, Ireland
Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health,
Australia
Samaritans/Befriender's Worldwide
Stanford Psychiatry's Center for Youth Mental Health and
Wellbeing
School of Public Health, University College Cork, Ireland
Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, University of Glasgow, Scotland
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
The Jason Foundation
The Jed Foundation (JED)
The Lancet Psychiatry
The Trevor Project
Coalition Lead and contact in USA: Dr. Dan Reidenberg
612-741-1354,
dreidenberg@save.org
Contact for International Association: Prof.
Ella Arneson
+ 353 (0) 21
420 5541, ella.arensman@ucc.ie
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SOURCE SAVE - Suicide Awareness Voices of Education