The document discusses the importance of engaging communities in conversations about suicide, emphasizing that silence on the topic is harmful and that open dialogue can help prevent suicide. It highlights challenges in media reporting and the need for careful communication, especially when addressing groups at risk. Resources for supporting safe discussions about suicide are available online, aimed at helping individuals and communities address the issue compassionately and effectively.

1. Engaging communities to
talk about suicide
Jaelea Skehan
Director
Hunter Institute of Mental Health

2. The Hunter Institute of
Mental Health is a leading
National organisation
dedicated to reducing
mental illness and suicide
and improving wellbeing
for all Australians.

3. Connection

4. Some reflections across
community conversations
and media coverage

5. Some assumptions
• Given suicide is a preventable cause of death which is
important to communities, saying NOTHING about how to
prevent it makes no sense.
• If you are worried that someone may be at risk of suicide,
saying NOTHING makes no sense.
• If you know someone who has experienced a loss, saying
NOTHING makes no sense.
• Given suicide is an issue that affects everyone, having a media
that reports NOTHING about the issue makes no sense.

6. But…

7. Talking about suicide
• Suicide is an important issue of community concern;
• It is important that as a community we are engaged with the
issue;
• Often confusion about what is meant by “discussing” or
“talking about” suicide, and confusion about the evidence;
• Need to ensure we are not
“too afraid” to talk about
suicide, while respecting
and understanding the
risks.

8. Talking about suicide
The risk associated with the “discussion” seems to be related to:
 The focus of the information (about death, about how to cope
with a death, about the broader issue);
 The status of the individual receiving the information (little
interest, vulnerable, bereaved by suicide);
 The format they receive the information (face-to-face, media);
 The place they receive the information.

9. 4 broad groups for communication:
1. Not affected and not interested;
2. Some level of interest or connection to the issue;
3. Vulnerable, at risk; **
4. Those affected or bereaved.

10. What we know and don’t know
We know:
• Talking to someone, one-on-one, directly about suicide will not increase
their suicide risk (although the empirical evidence is weak);
• Media reporting of suicide deaths has been associated with increased
risk for those who are vulnerable to suicide;
We don’t know:
• Whether group presentation about suicide will increase or decrease
suicide risk (e.g. evidence from schools);
• Whether more general media reporting about suicide (or awareness
campaigns) will increase or decrease risk.

11. Media challenges
• While talking about suicide will not generally increase risk,
media is not a conversation, it is one way communication;
• Messages in editorial are not “market tested”. That is, we
have no way of monitoring how the story is being interpreted
by people sitting in their own homes;
• People may take away different messages than those that
were intended;
• Raising awareness on its own (e.g. increasing reporting) is not
enough to change behaviours;
• Not all media are the same – they don’t all have the capacity
to cover the issues well.

12. Positive role of media?
• The media has a role to play in raising awareness of suicide, but
there is generally a lack of evidence supporting any positive
benefits.
• But some studies or expert opinion suggest that:
– Personal stories about someone who has managed suicidal
risk as protective;
– Focussing on the impact suicide could be protective;
– Adding help-seeking information can be helpful;
– Adding information about risk factors and warning signs can
be helpful.

13. One-on-one conversations
• People have reported avoiding the conversation for fear of saying
the wrong thing or most likely to talk to others about the person.
• If you are worried about someone or know someone who has
been affected or bereaved by suicide it is better to reach out
than avoid the person.
• Avoiding the discussion can lead to people feeling more isolated.

14. One-on-one conversations
 Decide to talk to the person, preferably face-to-face;
 Listen without judgement and don’t try to fix the situation.
People want understanding rather than solutions;
 If you are worried they are thinking about suicide, then ask
directly and be prepared for the answer;
 Talk to the person about who else to involve so they can be
supported and encourage them to seek help.
 Take care of yourself. These conversations can be difficult and
you may need support as well.

15. Group conversations
 Understand the purpose of the discussion and the setting;
 Plan messages carefully – the larger the group, the less likely
you can monitor the response;
– Messages will have different impacts depending on the
group and the reason they are coming together
– We need to alert rather than alarm
 Think about the words you use and details about suicide that
are given;
 Use an experienced facilitator who can manage responses;
 Think about how you will support people.

16. Conversations Matter
Community resources to guide and support safe and helpful
conversations about suicide.
Available online at www.conversationsmatter.com.au

17. Conversations Matter
The resources will assist
communities when:
 They want to know how to talk
about suicide more generally.
 They are worried about
someone and want to know
what to say and do.
 There has been a death and
they want to know how best to
handle individual and
community level conversations.
Resources available as:
• Online presentation
• Printed fact sheets
• Podcast
Also has:
• Links to services
• Supporting
factsheets
• Research reports

18. Our connection to others is what builds us up
and keeps us strong.
Having people sit beside us when times are
good and when times are bad can make all
the difference.
 Connect with others
 Connect with community
 Connect with services

19. Contact Us:
Email:
Jaelea.Skehan@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Mindframe@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
himh@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au
Twitter:
@jaeleaskehan
@HInstMH
@MindframeMedia
Websites:
www.himh.org.au
www.mindframe-media.info
www.conversationsmatter.com.au