Don’t use words that describe suicide as criminal or sinful. This may suggest to someone that what they are feeling is wrong or unacceptable, or make someone worry that they'll be judged if they ask for help.
- Don’t say “committed suicide”.
- Don’t say that suicide is a “solution” to problems, life stressors or mental health difficulties.
Don’t use words that glamourise, romanticise, or make suicide seem appealing.
- Don’t share, quote or 'like' the content of a suicide note or message.
- Don’t 'post', share or include links to pro-suicide sites or forums. Don’t provide information about suicide pacts.
Don’t use words that trivialise or make suicide seem less complex than it really is.
- Don't blame one event or imply the suicide was the result of a single cause, such as bullying or social media.
- Don't say that suicide is a solution to a problem, life stressors or mental health difficulties.
Don’t sensationalise suicide.
Don’t use judgmental phrases which reinforce myths, stigma, stereotypes or suggest nothing can be done about suicide.
- Don’t say suicide is for “cowards”, "a cry for help", "attention seeking" or “a selfish act”.
- Don’t use stigmatising words such as “crazy”, “psycho”, “nuts”, “lunatic”, “deranged”, “defective”, “insane” or “abnormal”.
- Don't suggest that if someone wants to end their life then there is nothing you could do.
Don’t provide detailed information about the actual suicide or suicide attempt.
- Don’t provide information about suicide methods, the location of a suicide. Don’t acknowledge if that there have been a number of suicide acts at a particular location or “hotspot”.
Don’t describe suicide as a desirable outcome.
- Don't use words or phrases such as “successful”, "unsuccessful” or "failed attempt".
- Don't mention any positive consequences of suicidal behaviour that refer to suicide as a "relief", that the person is "finally at peace" or that suicide is "quick" or "painless".
- Don't say a suicide was “achieved”, was “noble” or that it was a “brave act”.