In January and February 2008 many Australian media outlets covered the tragic story of the youth suicides in Bridgend, Wales. All 17 young people died by the same method.

StigmaWatch encourages all Australian media professionals to exercise editorial discretion when picking up international stories on mental illness and suicide.

Responsible media coverage of suicide is a vital means of promoting constructive dialogue. Responsible reporting of suicide always excludes methods, to protect vulnerable readers. This is especially significant in this case, where evidence suggests the 17 deaths were connected and adds further evidence to the research on the copy-cat phenomenon.

StigmaWatch contacted the online editors of The Australian and news.com to urge reconsideration of the inclusion of these details and to request the addition of help line numbers with all stories on suicide.