Media plays an important role in how an event is processed by inviduals. It can influence behavior negatively by contributing to contagion or positively by encouraging help-seeking. After the recent events in Tamil Nadu closer to exam, I shared my views on Twitter and Quint about how reporting can influence individual behavior, popularly referred to as Werther effect and Papageno effect.

Dear journos,

Please follow suicide reporting guidelines. It is important to understand that the way media cover suicide can influence behavior negatively by contributing to contagion or positively by encouraging help-seeking.

RT for max reach (1/3) pic.twitter.com/pUbuYSEZG9

— Dr Srinivas MD (@srinivasaiims) July 25, 2022

Here is a simple checklist before you send any material regarding suicide or homicide to print !! (2/3) pic.twitter.com/9HnGwhbmzM

— Dr Srinivas MD (@srinivasaiims) July 25, 2022

My views for The Quint : https://www.thequint.com/fit/health-news/tamil-nadu-class-12-girl-student-suicides-what-is-copycat-suicide-werther-effect-psychology-media-reporting-guidelines-psychologists#read-more