Suicide-safe publishing

Before You Write

• Do I need to include this detail? Could the story be told without it?
• Am I writing this to genuinely help people, or to generate engagement?
• Have I read the Samaritans media guidelines?
• Will bereaved people encounter this content? Have I considered their experience?
• If this involves a real person, have I obtained consent from the family or individual?

Language

Use

• "Died by suicide" or "took their own life"
• "Suicide attempt" (not "failed attempt" or "successful suicide")
• "Person who has experienced suicidal thoughts"
• Plain, factual language

Avoid

• "Committed suicide" - implies criminality
• "Failed attempt" - implies the goal was death
• "Successful suicide" - implies death is an achievement
• Dramatic or romanticising language: "ended the pain", "found peace", "chose to leave"
• Casual references: using "suicide" as a metaphor or joke

Content

Never include

• Methods or means used
• Specific locations
• Suicide notes or final messages
• Step-by-step details of what happened
• Graphic images or video
• Countdown-style narratives ("in his final hours...")

Always include

• Crisis support information - prominently, not buried at the bottom
• A message that help is available
• Information about what to do if you are worried about someone
• Context that suicidal thoughts are common and treatable

Headlines and Social Media

• Do not use the word "suicide" in a sensational headline
• Do not include methods or locations in headlines or social posts
• Do not use the story as clickbait
• Include crisis information in social media posts, not just the linked article
• Consider whether the headline could appear alongside ads or unrelated content in a harmful way

Images

• Do not use images of the location where someone died
• Do not use images of methods or means
• Do not use images that could identify the person without family consent
• Use images that convey hope, support or connection - not despair
• Consider using no image at all rather than a harmful one

Bereavement

• Remember that bereaved people will read your content
• Include links to suicide bereavement support services
• Do not speculate about reasons or blame
• Do not contact bereaved families for comment without extreme care and sensitivity
• Do not publish details that could identify children or vulnerable family members

Website and Page Design

• Place crisis information above the fold or near the top of the page
• Make phone numbers clickable on mobile
• Use a visually distinct crisis box (different background colour, border)
• Do not hide crisis information behind accordions, tabs or "read more" buttons
• Ensure the page loads quickly - someone in distress should not wait
• Consider adding a "leave site quickly" button if your content could be found by someone in a controlling situation
• Repeat crisis information at the end of longer articles

Final Check