GLORIFYING or glamorising deaths by suicide in the media can fuel contagion and cause ''copycat'' incidents, a coronial inquest has heard.
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Hunter Institute of Mental Health director Jaelea Skehan, an expert in suicide prevention, gave evidence this morning at an inquest into the suicides of six Tasmanian youths.
Ms Skehan said recent research revealed an 85% correlation between media coverage of individual suicides and increased suicidal behaviour.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart heard young people were among the most susceptible to contagion.
''We know young people exposed to the death of another young person do show an increase in suicidal behaviour,'' Ms Skehan said.
Ms Skehan examined media reporting of the suicide of one young person whose death is being investigated through the inquest.
She said most coverage adhered to international best practice for reporting suicide.
However, Ms Skehan said coverage linking the death with one risk factor was problematic, and reporting on the funeral carried the risk of glorifying or glamorising the death.
Of most concern to Ms Skehan was prominence given to the coverage, as well as the size and repeated use of an image of the deceased.
''It wouldn't be in accordance with our recommendations, no,'' she said.
Ms Skehan said more prominence could have been given to canvassing the broad range of factors that can prompt suicidal ideation.
The inquest continues.
Lifeline: 131114.
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelp.com.au
Suicide callback service: 1300 659 467, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.