Content Notice: Guidelines to Discuss Suicide on Social Media

Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34 and the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15-24 in 2020.5 Given that these populations use social media more frequently, social media can be utilized as a significant venue for psychoeducation and risk reduction.6 Several studies demonstrate an association between population suicide rates, and cultural beliefs about mental health and help seeking.7 The sheer volume of online discussions broadens the reach beyond one location or population and highlights the importance of safe conversations about suicide; there are 4.48 billion social media users worldwide, and many are not yet informed about how to responsibly communicate about suicide.8 While guidelines for general media exist, those for social media are limited and not widely known.1,9 The answer is not to stop talking about suicide, since matters of critical public health concern warrant public education and destigmatization-especially as stigma related to mental illness is directly associated with less active help seeking.10 Instead, we must talk about suicide safely and effectively Rather than elevating contagion risk, conversations may deepen mental health literacy, increase help seeking behaviors, and instill hope.411 Why Guidelines Are Needed: The History of Suicide Contagion Suicide contagion is not a new phenomenon. According to a 2020 meta-analysis, reporting of celebrity suicides is correlated with an increase in the number of suicides by 8-18% in the months following the death, and detailing the method of suicide is associated with an 18-44% increase in the risk by the same method.12 Though no studies have yet looked at Kryst's death (since Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting on suicide lags by 12-18 months), when Robin Williams died by suicide in 2014, suicides via the same method increased by 32% in the months following his death.13 There were concerns after William's death that United States (U.S.) print media only moderately adhered to recommendations including providing details romanticizing suicide.14 Because of the very real dangers of particular messaging about suicide, media guidelines for reporting were developed by several government agencies and health organizations, including WHO, CDC, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American Association of Suicidology and the Annenberg Public Policy Center in 2001.15 While