For adolescents, suicide is the third leading cause of death, after accidents and homicides. In order to minimize the likelihood of suicide contagion, reporting should be concise and factual. Lives are complicated and rarely is there a single reason why people kill themselves. It's important to acknowledge that multiple factors may have contributed to a suicide attempt. Avoid repetitious or excessive reporting of suicide.
Repetitive coverage tends to promote suicide contagion.
Consider alternative approaches for covering newsworthy suicide stories, including publishing an article on potential warning signs of suicide and a side bar on community resources for people who may be suicidal or know someone who is. Avoid sensational coverage of suicide. Limit morbid details of the suicide, decrease the prominence of the news report, and avoid dramatic photographs related to the suicide. Technical details about the method of suicide can cause imitative suicidal behavior by other individuals at risk. Avoid presenting suicide as painless.