Some friends turned their anger on the media. The death of a public figure is not isolated to Tampa. According to the American Association of Suicideology, in the United States someone commits suicide every 17 minutes. It happens 84 times a day, more than 30,000 people a year. Yet, suicide is one of the most under-reported stories of our time.
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.
Homicide ranks 13th, yet homicide receives astronomically more news coverage. Moreover, there are 25 suicide attempts for every one that is completed. At least 5 million living Americans have attempted suicide. One reason suicides are so under-reported in mainstream journalism is linked to an a historic newsroom avoidance of covering the topic. By avoiding the story in an effort to minimize potential harm to the victims' families or concern that news coverage might prompt others to take their lives, journalists avoid an important issue that viewers need to understand.