Coroner Says Posts Should Carry Suicide Warnings Following Man’s Death After Watching A Star Is Born

Warning: this article deals with the topic of suicide.

The suicide of a man who repeatedly watched the Hollywood remake A star has been born It has led the coroner to recommend that all television shows and movies depicting suicide carry a specific warning.

Chief Censor David Shanks welcomes the recommendation and says the growing popularity of the depiction of suicide in movies, television and other publications is a growing concern for the classification office.

Stuff obtained a waiver from Chief Coroner Deborah Marshall to fully report the case, and Judge Marshall said it was in the public interest for people to be aware of the risks of movies or television shows that involve suicide. Stuff has chosen not to identify the Christchurch man at the request of his family.

The man, a father of two, died in November 2018. He had ended a short-term relationship shortly after watching the film. A star has been born together. He had other personal struggles. Police analysis of her phone used the night of her death revealed that she had viewed YouTube music clips of the film repeatedly over an 11-hour period that culminated in sending the woman a message with a link to a YouTube clip of the song. I will never love again. The film describes the suicide of the main character.

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Coroner David Robinson discovered there was an element of copycat in his death, following the advice of psychologist and academic Dr. Sarah Fortune on whether there was a link between the man who saw the film and his death. She believed that events in her life had raised her risk of suicide and her death indicated a possible act of imitation.

Coroner Robinson found that the film appeared “to have been a kind of focus on the last day of his life.”

Suicide has been given a certain profile in the entertainment industry, he said. “One can point For thirteen reasons and an episode of The curse of Hill House (Netflix), A million little things (SoHo) and even an episode of Shortland street. “

There was outrage when Netflix released For thirteen reasons in 2017, a series aimed at teenagers that featured the main character’s suicide in detail. At the time, streaming media was not required to be classified by law, but was downgraded with a specific mention of suicide.

Research suggests a link between the description or discussion of suicide in the popular and news media and deaths from suicide. Critics suggest it glorifies suicide, and some research suggests that the more detailed the discussion of the method, the greater the risk. New Zealand has strict suicide reporting laws.

Coroner Robinson recommended that the rating for any publication that includes a description of the suicide include a specific warning about that fact, and commented that, given the potential for harm and the risk of a causal relationship, “those who contemplate including a description of the suicide in fiction … you should think carefully about whether it’s really worth the risk. “A publication includes television, movies, books, newspapers, audio clips, or anything that includes images, sound, or text.

Chief Censor David Shanks described the man’s death as incredibly sad, “and very personally moving. It’s a very, very tragic story. “The classification office was already issuing explicit warnings about suicide-related content, following an increase in the description in popular media. Just weeks before the man’s death, Shanks had added a suicide warning to A star has been born, after complaints.

The figures show a steady increase in the number of posts requiring this warning: in 2004, only three received a suicide warning, compared to 37 last year. The increase is due to a combination of factors, but it also reflects a steady increase in suicide use in plots, Shanks said.

In some cases, a cross-classification system with Australia meant that some publications were published before they could be reviewed by the office, as seen in the case of A star has been born.

“To at least begin to address the potential harm from these types of representations and this type of material, we at least believe that consumers should be given due warning,” said Shanks.

“In our opinion, it just doesn’t work and it is not enough to have a warning with the letter C that stands for content, or ‘topics’ or other general terms that in some jurisdictions, under some systems, mean a wide range of content that could be harmful. . We strongly believe that it is fair and reasonable to address and mitigate such potential harms by providing clear and unambiguous information and warnings about this. “

What needed significant attention going forward was investigating how to prevent young people from viewing suicide material on social media, following a case in the UK where algorithms had recommended suicide-related content to a teenager.

The Director of the Office for Suicide Prevention, Carla na Nagara, agreed with the recommendation, saying it was a valuable and constructive contribution to suicide prevention efforts.

“However, it is necessary to recognize that the causes of suicide are complex, so suicide prevention will take a multi-layered approach that includes how suicide is described in our publications, broadcasting and media. Suicide prevention efforts must focus on all levels, from addressing social issues to individual and community-level wellness approaches to crisis support. “

Where to get help

• 1737, do you need to talk? Call or text 1737 toll free to speak with a trained counselor.

• Anxiety New Zealand 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)

• Depression.org.nz 0800111757 or text 4202

• Kidsline 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.

• Life line 0800 543 354

• Mental Health Foundation 09 623 4812, click here to access your free resource and information service.

• Rural support trust 0800 787 254

• Samaritans 0800 726 666

• Suicide Crisis Helpline 050828865 (SUPPORT 0508)

• Supporting families with mental illness 0800 732 825

• thelowdown.co.nz Web chat, email chat or free text 5626

• What happens 0800 942 8787 (from 5 to 18 years old). Telephone advice available from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 23:00 and on weekends from 15:00 to 23:00. Online chat is available from 3 pm to 10 pm every day.

• Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support options here.

• If it’s an emergency Click here to find the number for your local crisis assessment team.

• In a life-threatening situation, call 111.