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Reporting Suicide Responsibly: Capacity Building Workshop for Journalists
Themed “The Role of the Media in Suicide Prevention”, the workshop, held in 2025 at the America Corner, Ikeja, Lagos, trained 100 Nigerian journalists—including reporters, editors, news directors, photographers, videographers, and media gatekeepers—on responsible and ethical reporting of suicide, with the goal of reducing the risk of suicide contagion, encouraging help-seeking behavior, and ultimately saving lives.
Globally, suicide is a major public health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the fourth leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 29. More than 703,000 people die by suicide annually, with at least 20 attempts for every one fatality. Suicide now causes more deaths than HIV, malaria, breast cancer, war, or homicide.
In Nigeria, at least 79 suicide deaths were recorded in 2022 alone. Contributing factors include mental health disorders, economic hardship, and societal stigma. These challenges often render individuals feeling hopeless and isolated.
We must begin to view suicide not as a sin or crime, but as a call for help. By shifting our collective attitudes and increasing media literacy on suicide reporting, we can help create a more supportive environment for those in distress, reduce contagion effects, and foster healing for bereaved families.
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In the IVLP family, we believe that grassroots development is crucial to our development as a nation and we are passionate about making continous and positive impact in our immediate communities one at a time.