Media On Suicide

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Has the media been reporting on suicides more often? Studies have shown that suicides are becoming a leading cause of death in young adults. Suicide is viewed as a taboo topic in society, which leads people to believe the media is glamorizing suicides. Suicides should be discussed more in the media or in classrooms because, more people need to be informed on suicidal behaviors to hopefully prevent further suicides from occuring.
Mental illnesses including depression and anxiety, are not discussed openly in schools, which can lead to teens commiting suicide. In the article, “Let’s Talk about Suicide”, the issue of discussing suicide is deliberated. For example it states, “And they are suffering- and sometimes dying- in silence because we …show more content…

The article “We Need to Talk to Kids About Suicide Without Glamorizing It. Here's How.” exhibits the importance of consulting teens about suicide, and suicide in today’s media. For example in the article Gutman states, “...young people risk learning inaccurate information from inexperienced peers” (Deliee). This is an important issue because if suicide is not addressed in school or by an adult, a teen can learn false ideas about suicide. Celebrity suicides are shown on media more often these days and often times kids see these reports on the news and in newsletters. This allows adults to have the opportunity with adolescents so false ideas about suicide aren’t learned. Learning inaccurate information about suicide is dangerous, because kids run the risk of believing that suicide is the only option or that suicide will give a person more attention. However, if suicide is brought up by a parent or teacher in the classroom it will ensure that kids learn accurate information about suicide, potentially saving a life. Additionally in the article Zakeri states, “...it is important to emphasize the impact created by suicide…” (Deliee). In the media, celebrities who commit suicide receive a lot of attention from society. Since the media is open about reporting on suicides it is a starting point for the issue to be discussed, and show how the suicide is a forever event. By …show more content…

The article “Web Searches on Suicide Rose After Series Release,” argues that netflix series and television shows have an impact on suicidal rates in teens. For example in the article it states “...internet searches mirror real-world suicide rates, so suicide rates have likely gone up as a result of this program” (Murgia). The netflix show “13 Reasons Why” was released last year and since the release, the searches related to suicide on the internet rose. Society does need to view this as a serious issue, and needs to create awareness to monitor teens struggling with suicidal thoughts internet searches. However, although suicide topics on the internet rose, the show “13 Reasons Why” initiated the discussion of suicide. Additionally, in the article it states “School district personnel have observed an increase in youth at risk behavior…” (Murgia). Many teens in the U.S have access to Netflix and shows like “13 Reasons Why,” these shows can cause students to view suicide as glamorous and also cause sensitive students to have suicidal behavior. Although schools have more at risk students because of shows like this, it can be potentially be seen as a positive effect because, schools can now offer help to students with suicidal signs. Likewise, in the article it also states “...child psychiatrists have begun to see suicidal

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