Psychiatrist Dr Guroo calls for responsible media reporting: avoid ‘committed suicide’, use ‘died by suicide’
Srinagar, Sep 10: On World Suicide Prevention Day, mental-health experts have called for a shift in how society understands and discusses suicide, stressing that timely conversations, compassionate support and early professional intervention can help prevent loss of life.
Observed every year on September 10, the day seeks to raise awareness about suicide prevention and encourage communities to address mental-health concerns without stigma or judgment. The current global theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, carries the call to “Start the Conversation”.
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and TelePsychiatrist at Tele-MANAS and IMHANS-Kashmir, Dr Mohd Abrar Ahmad Guroo, said suicide should not be viewed merely as an individual act but as the outcome of complex psychological distress that requires understanding and timely intervention.
“In clinical practice, we often see people who are not necessarily seeking death but are desperately seeking an end to unbearable pain. When a person feels trapped and cannot see another way forward, timely support can help create that alternative,” Dr Guroo told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
He said stigma and silence often prevent people from seeking help at the stage when intervention could make the greatest difference.
According to Dr Guroo, changing the language around suicide is also an important part of changing the narrative. He advocated avoiding terms such as “committed suicide”, which can carry an element of blame, and using terms such as “died by suicide” instead.
He highlighted the responsibility of the media in reporting suicide-related incidents. “Responsible reporting is extremely important. Sensational headlines, unnecessary details about the method or location and repeated imagery can potentially cause harm, particularly among vulnerable people. Reports should instead provide context, focus on prevention and recovery, and tell readers where help is available,” he said.
Dr Guroo said suicide prevention should not be seen as the responsibility of psychiatrists alone. “A teacher who notices a significant change in a student, a colleague who checks on someone who has withdrawn, or a family member who simply asks, ‘Are you really okay?’ can make a difference. Suicide prevention is a community responsibility,” he said.
Recognising warning signs
Mental-health professionals say people experiencing severe psychological distress may show warning signs, including persistent hopelessness, withdrawal from family or friends, talking about being a burden, loss of interest in everyday activities or significant changes in behaviour.
However, experts caution that no single sign necessarily means that a person is suicidal. Rather, noticeable and sustained changes in behaviour or emotional well-being should prompt a supportive conversation and, where necessary, professional assessment.
Dr Guroo said people should not hesitate to ask directly if they are worried that someone may be considering suicide. “A direct and compassionate question can open a door for someone who has been suffering in silence. Asking about suicidal thoughts does not put the idea into a person’s mind,” he said.
He stressed that listening without judgment is often the first step towards helping a person in crisis. “People in distress do not always need immediate advice. Sometimes they first need someone who will listen, stay connected and help them access professional support,” he said.
Tele-MANAS provides round-the-clock support
With mental-health services increasingly being made accessible through telemedicine, Tele-MANAS has emerged as an important avenue for people seeking psychological support.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare says the national Tele-MANAS service provides mental-health support through 14416 and 1-800-89-14416, with services including counselling, clinical interventions, follow-up and referral to in-person care where required.
Dr Guroo said easy access to support is particularly important for people who may hesitate to immediately approach a hospital or mental-health facility.
He said suicide prevention begins well before a crisis reaches a hospital and requires families and communities to take emotional distress seriously. (KNO)
