Suicide portrayal in the Canadian media: examining newspaper coverage of the popular Netflix series '13 Reasons Why'.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence suggests that the media can influence societal attitudes and beliefs to various social issues. This influence is especially strong for mental health issues, particularly suicide. As such, the aim of this study is to systematically examine Canadian newspaper coverage of the popular fictional Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, wherein the lead character dies by suicide in the final episode.

Methods

Articles mentioning the series were systematically collected from best-selling Canadian newspapers in the three-month period following series release (April-June 2017). Articles were coded for adherence to key best practice recommendations on how to sensitively report suicide. Frequency counts and proportions were produced. An inductive qualitative thematic analysis

SUBMITTER: Carmichael V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6119255 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature