Jeff Stewart starred in BBC police drama ‘The Bill’ for many years, his attempted suicide on 8.1.08 resulted in wide media coverage. Readers contacted StigmaWatch to express distress and concern that the method used in Stewart’s attempt was graphically reported by AAP - and picked up by The Adelaide Advertiser, The Herald Sun, The Mercury, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and The Newcastle Herald.

Celebrity suicides are a particular risk as many people who identify with the public persona or characters portrayed may be affected. StigmaWatch contacted AAP and each other outlet, to explain the dangers of reporting methods and encourage a focus on the tragedy rather than the shocking details. Many outlets did include help line numbers, those that did not were reminded of their importance when dealing with suicide.