The way media covers suicide can influence behavior, either negatively by contributing to contagion, or positively by encouraging help-seeking. Journalists have an important role to play in helping their audience better understand suicide – especially those whom are at risk or know someone at risk – and how to encourage help-seeking behaviors.
During National Suicide Prevention month and week, the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) in collaboration with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention – the nation’s public-private partnership for suicide prevention – is hosting an educational media session about suicide prevention and the media to:
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Cultivate relationships between suicide prevention subject matter experts and content creators,
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Discuss best practices for reporting on suicide and suicide prevention, including how to create stories that support messages of hope and help, and
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Gain insight about accurate reporting on the national public perception data about suicide.
The discussion will be an opportunity to explore best practices in reporting on suicide and hear from experts about ways to cover suicide in news media and hear from journalists whom have covered effective, authentic, and accurate suicide stories in the past.
WHO:
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Mark Weber, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs/Human Services, HHS; Executive Committee Member, Action Alliance
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Colleen Carr, Director, National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
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Dr. John Draper, Executive Director, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
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Lisa Esposito, Patient Advice reporter at U.S. News & World Report
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Carlton Houston, Assistant News Director, WUSA9; former board member for Radio Television Digital News and Association
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Kirsten Powers, Political Analyst, CNN; Columnist, USA Today
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Dr. Dan Reidenberg, Executive Director, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education; Member, Action Alliance’s Changing the Conversation Priority (Facilitator)
WHEN: Sept. 11, 11 a.m. – noon
WHERE:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – First Floor Auditorium
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.,Washington, D.C. 20201
CONTACT:
Media must RSVP to this event by emailing HHS’ Carla Daniels (Carla.Daniels@HHS.Gov). Space is limited.
Those who can’t attend can follow the livestream at HHS.gov/Live or can listen in by calling 888-989-3095 Passcode 3684857. A recording of the session will also be made available afterward.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
202-690-6343
media@hhs.gov
www.hhs.gov/news
Twitter @HHSMedia