Table 5 Content of articles about suicide (N = 61)
From: Media coverage of Canadian Veterans, with a focus on post traumatic stress disorder and suicide
Variable | YES | |
|---|---|---|
N | % | |
Topic | ||
Suicide death | 1 | 1.6% |
Suicide attempt | 0 | 0.0% |
Murder-suicide | 54 | 88.5% |
Event/policy/research | 1 | 1.6% |
Other | 5 | 8.2% |
Headline includes the word ‘suicide’ or a synonym | 14 | 23.0% |
Mentions the suicide method used | ||
Yes, alludes to method | 1 | 1.6% |
Yes, passing direct mention | 32 | 52.5% |
Yes, in detail | 8 | 13.1% |
Mentions the suicide location | 23 | 37.7% |
Gives a monocausal explanation of suicide | 0 | 0.0% |
Glamourizes/romanticizes the death | 0 | 0.0% |
Includes sensational language | 2 | 3.3% |
Uses discouraged words/phrases such as ‘commit suicide’ | 1 | 1.6% |
Provides help-seeking information such as helpline number | 3 | 4.9% |
Includes a quote by a suicide expert | 31 | 50.8% |
Includes a quote by a Veteran | 17 | 27.9% |
Includes a quote by the suicide bereaved | 19 | 31.1% |
Tries to educate the public about suicide and broader related issues | 8 | 13.1% |