Graduation Year
2019
Date of Submission
12-2018
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
Reader 1
Kathleen Brown
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
1997 Savannah T Stern
OCLC Record Number
1090681149
Abstract
With suicide on the rise nationwide, it is important now more than ever to prioritize suicide as a public health issue. This means raising awareness and conducting research aimed at developing new suicide prevention tools and strategies, as well as reevaluating and challenging already existent ones. Media messaging can be a great suicide prevention tool. Suicide depictions and reporting in different forms of media—including newspapers, online publications, film, television, and more—have the power to influence behavior. When reporting in a safe and appropriate manner, the media can influence behavior in a positive way and encourage help-seeking. However, reports that sensationalize and glamorize suicide have the potential to spark suicide contagion. Thus, when reporting on suicide it is crucial to be aware of best practices and recommendations developed by experts. In recent years, media campaigns aimed at suicide prevention have gained traction. While there has been some evidence suggesting the success of such campaigns, more research is needed in this area. Further research is also needed to assess the effects of fictional depictions of suicide in film and television.
Recommended Citation
Stern, Savannah, "Suicide and Suicide Prevention in Media and Mass Culture" (2019). CMC Senior Theses. 2030.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/2030
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
