We are happy to share information about emerging health issues as well as services available at Cornell Health. We welcome the chance to dialogue with members of the media.
Privacy concerns
To protect the privacy of our clients and patients, there are some things we cannot allow without permission of the Cornell Health administration:
- no audio recordings
- no video, digital, or still photography
- no unescorted reporters in Cornell Health facilities
- no unidentified reporters at Cornell Health programs or workshops
Background research
Please review our website for information about common college health topics and concerns and Cornell campus health initiatives.
Reporting on suicide
Suicide is a public health issue. Media coverage of suicide can influence the public’s behavior – either negatively by contributing to a “contagion factor,” or positively by encouraging help-seeking. It’s imperative that the media follow the reporting guidelines established by media and suicide-prevention experts:
- Recommendations for reporting on suicide (ReportingOnSuicide.org)
- At-a-glance: safe reporting on suicide (CU NetId required, or email us for a copy)
- Resources for reporting on suicide (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
- NPR's report on the dangers in covering suicide in the media
- After a suicide: a toolkit for schools (pdf)
Please review the AP Stylebook for reporting on suicide, which includes this guidance:
- "Generally, AP does not cover suicides or suicide attempts, unless the person involved is a well-known figure or the circumstances are particularly unusual or publicly disruptive."
- "Suicide stories, when written, should not go into detail on methods used."
- "Avoid using committed suicide except in direct quotations from authorities. Alternate phrases include killed himself, took her own life or died by suicide."