-
Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
-
Related
The debate over whether we need to be more "open" about suicide
has been stepped up by John Key.
The Prime Minister is ordering a review of media restrictions in
covering such cases, saying the issue is already discussed freely
on the internet.
More than 500 New Zealanders take their own lives every year, hundreds more than those killed on our roads.
Yet suicide often goes unreported because of severe restrictions on media coverage.
Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean said earlier this month there needed to be greater openness around the reporting and discussion of suicide.
Do you think the rules on reporting suicides should change? Share your thoughts on the messageboard below.
Key was asked about the issue this morning.
"I'm going to ask my Ministers to go away and look at the issue because I do think it's something that's worthy of debate," Key said.
"I think we have to tread carefully because I'd hate to see copycat suicides, but I do think that the law is potentially defunct."
The Opposition was giving cautious support to a more open approach.
"We don't want this sensationalised. At the same time we've got to acknowledge that it is a very real problem in our society," said Phil Goff, Labour leader.
He supported some restrictions about the details of suicide.
"I think the media need to be very, very careful... I think there should be an openness around that but not to the extent of reporting details that could lead to further problems such as copycat suicides."
The law prevents media from reporting detail around suspected suicides. Key said that was pointless given suicide was openly debated on the internet.
"The reality, particularly with youth suicides, is that, very quickly, social networking sites like Facebook, blog sites report that."
Actor and director Simon Prast is among those that want greater openness after coping with his uncle's sudden death.
"We need to speak about it. I thought I was a reasonably informed person but (the rate of suicide) has come as a great shock to me. And as we speak today someone will have done the same thing and tomorrow after that," said Prast.
He was also upset that financial support for the families of suicide victims through ACC had been cut.
ACC Minister Nick Smith said his view was that suicide was a tragedy but it's not an accident.
He said the changes last year were to treat the problem as a
health issue "no different to where a loved one is lost to heart
disease or is lost to cancer".
But Prast said he doesn't accept that suicide can be put in the
same category as cancer or heart disease.
"I think this is a very particular way of leaving this world."
Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton said the families of suicide victims needed counselling and helpline support but that was being taken away.
Goff said it was a "dreadful" decision.
"I've had personal experience with family members who have lost their mother through suicide, I know the trauma that that caused them. I just think that it's mean and miserable not to provide the assistance to those families in the event of a suicide by a close family member, I think they should never have taken away the right to counselling."
Regarding cutting the funding of funeral costs for families of suicide victims, Smith said such costs were no different than those faced by families when they lost loved ones through a range of tragedies.
Add a Comment:
Post new comment