Analysis of Japanese Articles about Suicides Involving Charcoal Burning or Hydrogen Sulfide Gas

Abstract

It is well known that certain types of media reports about suicide can result in imitative suicides. In the last two decades, Japan has experienced two suicide epidemics and the subsequent excessive media coverage of these events. However, the quality of the media suicide reports has yet to be evaluated in terms of the guidelines for media suicide coverage. Thus, the present study analyzed Japanese newspaper articles (n = 4007) on suicides by charcoal burning or hydrogen sulfide gas between 11 February 2003 and 13 March 2010. The suicide reports were evaluated in terms of the extent to which they conformed to the suicide reporting guidelines. The mean violation scores were 3.06 (±0.7) for all articles, 3.2 (±0.8) for articles about suicide by charcoal burning, and 2.9 (±0.7) for articles about suicide by hydrogen sulfide (p < 0.001). With the exception of not following several recommendations, newspaper articles about suicide have improved in quality, as defined by the recommendations for media suicide coverage. To prevent imitative suicides based on media suicide reports, individuals in the media should try not to report suicide methods and to make attempts to report the poor condition of suicide survivors.

Cobinamide is effective for treatment of hydrogen sulfide–induced neurological sequelae in a mouse model

“…High acute exposure to H 2 S leads to severe toxic effects, including death, with most deaths occurring at the scene of exposure . Although most H 2 S‐induced deaths are occupational‐related, suicide in confined spaces is a growing cause of death by H 2 S exposure …”

“…5 Although most H 2 S-induced deaths are occupational-related, [5][6][7][8] suicide in confined spaces is a growing cause of death by H 2 S exposure. 9,10 There are many sources of H 2 S in the environment, including natural discharges from volcanic activities and hot springs. 11,12 H 2 S is a contaminant of oil and natural gas and is a hazard to oil and petroleum industry workers; 4,13 in addition, sour crude oil pipeline explosion accidents have led to mass civilian casualties.…”

Prehospital characteristics, incidence trends, and outcome of emergency self‐inflicted injury patients with gas substances: a population‐based descriptive study in Osaka, Japan

“…A previous study revealed that the methods of suicide attempts were affected by media, such as television and newspapers, 11 and media releases regarding suicide attempts due to hydrogen sulfide were thriving in Japan around 2007. 13 However, the releases settled thereafter and the detergent used to generate hydrogen sulfide was also prohibited in 2008, which would explain the decreased incidence trend of self-inflicted injury due to hydrogen sulfide. Thus, the methods of self-inflicted injuries are influenced by the discontinuation of the causative substances as well as the mass media.…”

“…As for hydrogen sulfide, the incidence of self‐inflicted injury decreased during the study period. A previous study revealed that the methods of suicide attempts were affected by media, such as television and newspapers, and media releases regarding suicide attempts due to hydrogen sulfide were thriving in Japan around 2007 . However, the releases settled thereafter and the detergent used to generate hydrogen sulfide was also prohibited in 2008, which would explain the decreased incidence trend of self‐inflicted injury due to hydrogen sulfide.…”

Correction: Nabeshima, Y., et al. Analysis of Japanese Articles about Suicides Involving Charcoal Burning or Hydrogen Sulfide Gas. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 1013

“…We wish to make the following three corrections to the published paper [ 1 ]. First, one of the objectives of this study was incorrect.…”