5 February 2009

Jumper at National Capital Hospital

| johnboy
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Word reaches us that there’s a “jumper” at the National Capital Hospital right now.

More news on this as it comes to hand.


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UPDATED: Readers will, I am sure, be pleased to know that after a 6 hour incident the man in question was talked safely down off the roof. I hear he was a psych outpatient unhappy with his treatment and the threat to jump followed a period of cavorting naked through the wards.

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I agree with fnaah on this one.

Sounds like a head in the sand approach to not report suicides.

What about reporting on people who have issues with taking (or not taking) their appropriate psych meds?

This wasn’t a suicide from what I can gather. This was a disturbed patient with issues.

Thanks LB, I’m aware of the Press Council’s suggestions. In this case I hold a contrary view.

Oh, fair enough, not reporting is helping “curb the rate of suicide”. Sould we take the same approach to the “drug problem” or any other societal issue?

“Not talking about it” seems pretty dumb. (Although the last para seems like a good idea.)

Australian Press Council – Reporting of Suicide (Excerpt)

The Press Council is in sympathy with attempts by governmental and other bodies to curb the rate of suicide in Australia, particularly amongst young people. It calls upon the press to continue exercising care and responsibility in reporting matters of suicide and mental illness.

The Council believes that most papers are aware of the desirability of treating suicide with restraint, and of avoiding:

Adding to the pain of relatives and friends of the deceased;
Any reporting which might encourage copy-cat suicides or self harm;
Unnecessary reference to details of method or place of a suicide:
Language or presentation which trivialises, romanticises, or glorifies suicide, particularly in papers which target a youth readership;
Loose or slang use of terms to describe various forms of mental illness, and the risk of stigmatising vulnerable people that may accompany such labels.

The Council also strongly commends to editors the suggestion that articles dealing with suicide, when they are deemed necessary, should include reference to the counselling services available to people in emotional distress and to their families, with contact addresses and phone numbers.

tylersmayhem1:00 pm 10 Feb 09

Final warning on abusing other posters TM.<i?

Understood

-1 thread

tylersmayhem said :

Absolutely. It doesn’t matter whether you are loony or not, your still going to get attention. He should not have let himself get in that state then.

You are a f**king loser CanberraCapital. Good luck getting help if you ever run into trouble with mental illness. I’m waiting for your reply to be “yeah, but that will never happen to someone like me”. Tosser!

That’s not overly helpful, TM. But in a curious way, it’s analagous for the lack of rationality that leads someone to take drastic action. (Believe it or not, I’m actually not having a go at you here.)

I’m running a bet with myself on how long it takes for the moderator (sic) to delete this, but I’m trying to reconcile the instruction in #94 with the language used in #42.

“While I don’t deny it was a selfish act, was the person a totally self centred and selfish person before whatever drove him to kill himself?

It is surely an indication of how deep in dispair someone is, that they would consider killing themselves over and above their families love for them.”

I agree with you on this one PB.
Looks like there is a first for everything 😉

suicide and depression is such a huge issue in our country, and yet discussion and action about it seems to be so taboo.
My male (mainly) peers seems to be dropping like flies and everyone seems shocked and saddened after the fact. Suicide is a terrible thing and saddens me also – but what saddens me more is how were these people feeling prior to committing suicide, and the fact no one wants to bring anything up with them, or they are so keen to dismiss concerns, not wanting to get involved, or not knowing what to do.

I don’t know about media coverage increasing suicides so I don’t wish to comment on that, however I think it is about time that mental illness/depression/suicide becomes a topic that people aren’t afraid to discuss, to ask for help with. And I think a way of breaking down those barriers might be hacving the topic thrown in peoples faces more so everyone begins to realise what a huge issue it is and so we can then take action.

Final warning on abusing other posters TM.

tylersmayhem8:53 am 10 Feb 09

Absolutely. It doesn’t matter whether you are loony or not, your still going to get attention. He should not have let himself get in that state then.

You are a f**king loser CanberraCapital. Good luck getting help if you ever run into trouble with mental illness. I’m waiting for your reply to be “yeah, but that will never happen to someone like me”. Tosser!

canberracapital said :

It doesn’t matter whether you are loony or not, your still going to get attention. He should not have let himself get in that state then.

Spoken like someone with a firm grasp on the vagaries and manifestations of mental illness.

[Pause]

Not.

canberracapital6:37 pm 09 Feb 09

Pommy bastard said :

canberracapital said :

This is for all the people who said that his privacy should be respected. Bulls#$t!!! If he wants his privacy respected he should not have gone through the wards naked, and he should not have gone on the roof. If you want privacy, you certainly don’t go on your neighbours roof with a hammer in your hand…..Once you start doing stuff like that then you are bound to get some sought of attention. The jumper is a complete idiot. Good work johnboy.

Yes of course, when you are in such a state that you are running through the hospital naked with the desire to kill yourself running through your head, and are aiming for the roof to jump, your main concern should be; “will people respect my privacy?”

Absolutely. It doesn’t matter whether you are loony or not, your still going to get attention. He should not have let himself get in that state then.

johnboy said :

You’re welcome to disagree with me all you like, you’re not welcome to abuse me.

And Bowlo is free to start his own website and say what he likes.

My apologies, JB, if you felt abused. I, obviously, don’t agree, but that’s life.

Pommy bastard7:55 am 09 Feb 09

canberracapital said :

This is for all the people who said that his privacy should be respected. Bulls#$t!!! If he wants his privacy respected he should not have gone through the wards naked, and he should not have gone on the roof. If you want privacy, you certainly don’t go on your neighbours roof with a hammer in your hand…..Once you start doing stuff like that then you are bound to get some sought of attention. The jumper is a complete idiot. Good work johnboy.

Yes of course, when you are in such a state that you are running through the hospital naked with the desire to kill yourself running through your head, and are aiming for the roof to jump, your main concern should be; “will people respect my privacy?”

canberracapital7:20 am 09 Feb 09

This is for all the people who said that his privacy should be respected. Bulls#$t!!! If he wants his privacy respected he should not have gone through the wards naked, and he should not have gone on the roof. If you want privacy, you certainly don’t go on your neighbours roof with a hammer in your hand…..Once you start doing stuff like that then you are bound to get some sought of attention. The jumper is a complete idiot. Good work johnboy.

You’re welcome to disagree with me all you like, you’re not welcome to abuse me.

And Bowlo is free to start his own website and say what he likes.

wow johnboy that a sad response putting Bowlo into moderation while you continue to say whatever you feel like.

Pommy bastard11:44 am 07 Feb 09

housebound said :

Let’s get real here. A shallow RA report of some poor bloke who had a bad deal from ACT mental health (if only THAT were news) probably won’t influence too many other unwell people on the edge … but it might.

Who says this person had a “bad deal from ACT mental health”?

And that’s bowlo into moderation.

You’d think such a big brain would be smarter.

proofpositive said :

Bowio: don’t let the door hit you on the way out, and if you don’t like it don’t bother to come back.

Thanks for adding the witty rejoinder, proofpositive, though proofpositive of what I’m not too sure. Truly original. Quite made me chuckle. I see you belong to the JB school of debate. Ad hominen attacks, puerile idiocy, or an inability to address the issues.

johnboy said :

And yet here you all still are.

Is this supposed to be English? I really don’t think you’re upholding the standards of a professional journalist, JB. How about, “And yet, you are all still here.” Yes, much better.

And yet here you all still are.

Let’s get real here. A shallow RA report of some poor bloke who had a bad deal from ACT mental health (if only THAT were news) probably won’t influence too many other unwell people on the edge … but it might.

As Granny so eloquently pointed out, a media culture of suicide and violence has far greater effect. All advertising – the $billion of it – is based on the premise that media does influence behaviour, so there’s probably a chance it does.

To show it is the hard-edged counter-mainstream news outlet RA appears to aspire to, perhaps it is worth thinking about how this issue is reported.

Talk of a jumper, who eventually didn’t jump, is perhaps crossing the line. Give the man a chance, I say. What is it about ACT Mental Health that drove him to so public an act?

Agree Bowlo, its a normal Johnboy reaction to anybody suggesting anything that goes against his sad little view of the world.

Pommy bastard7:42 am 06 Feb 09

Granny said :

We are continually told that violence in the media has no influence on people. You can tell kids things like:

And you were just about to provide evidence of this, were you not?

We are continually told that violence in the media has no influence on people. You can tell kids things like:

Hey there killer, where you goin’?
I see you got a gun and your anger is showing
What you about to do? Gonna kill her man?
I know that you are, but you don’t really understand
You wanna be scary, wanna freak her out
Knock on her door, and put the gun in your own mouth
Let her try to stop you, it doesn’t work
Turn so she can see you, and make the back of your head squirt!

Before you go and commit, a homicide!
Do us all a favor, you should try suicide!
If your gonna commit, a homicide
Spare us all the drama, you should try suicide!

Hey there killer, where you been?
Plotting out the murder on the perfect ten
Wanna make scary on her, I assume
Break in her house and hang yourself in her bedroom
Hey there killer, your unstoppable
Out of control and yo, she’s irresistible
Go to her job and drink some gasoline
Swallow a match, and show her just what she means to ya!

Before you go and commit, a homicide!
Do us all a favor, you should try suicide!
If your gonna commit, a homicide
Spare us all the drama, you should try suicide!

Suicide

Before you go and commit, a homicide! (killer)
Do us all a favor, you should try suicide! (come on and try it)
If your gonna commit, a homicide (try it)
Spare us all the drama, you should try suicide! (suicide)

Before you go and commit, a homicide! (killer)
Do us all a favor, you should try suicide! (come on and try it)
If your gonna commit, a homicide (try it)
Spare us all the drama, you should try suicide! (suicide)

Please don’t commit, a homicide! (killer)
Do us all a favor, you should try suicide! (come on and try it)
If your gonna commit, a homicide (try it)
Spare us all the drama, you should try suicide!!!

… or …

Through early morning fog I see
visions of the things to be
the pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see…

[REFRAIN]:

that suicide is painless

It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
I try to find a way to make
all our little joys relate
without that ever-present hate
but now I know that it’s too late, and…

[REFRAIN]

The game of life is hard to play
I’m gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I’ll someday lay
so this is all I have to say.

[REFRAIN]

The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I’m beat
and to another give my seat
for that’s the only painless feat.

[REFRAIN]

The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn’t hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger…watch it grin, but…

[REFRAIN]

A brave man once requested me
to answer questions that are key
is it to be or not to be
and I replied ‘oh why ask me?’

[REFRAIN]

‘Cause suicide is painless
it brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
…and you can do the same thing if you please.

… etc. etc. etc. … and it will have absolutely no effect whatsoever! It is completely harmless. Why would anyone jump just ’cause they listen to that?

But whatever you do, don’t mention the magic words “There’s a jumper on the roof,” ’cause everyone who ever wanted to jump will jump. This astounds me. I am amazed. And I really don’t think you can have it both ways.

proofpositive11:34 pm 05 Feb 09

Bowio: don’t let the door hit you on the way out, and if you don’t like it don’t bother to come back.

#40 posted by johnboy
“Just so you all know, we will continue to report on public suicides as and when we have news on them.”

Why? Are potential suicides news? You said “More news on this as it comes to hand.” Did you hop in your car, camera in hand like Jimmy Olsen, and follow up? C’mon. This was sensationalist twaddle on par with the Hun or the Terrorgraph.

“Some media outlets choose not to, we choose to.”

Why? Why are potential suicides important to you JB? Why are they important to the readership of RA? I’ve been a lurker for some years on this site and generally it’s been a good natured local site with a bit of snark here and there. But now it seems to be a bit like FoxNews: “JB reports and JB decides.”

“Every incident like this raises questions which the public deserve answers to, not a stonewalling media frequently under the sway of a vocal Catholic minority.”

My god, and I thought it was the Masons!

“There’s also the issues we’ve encountered before where highly suspicious deaths get swept under the carpet by a broad hint that it *might* have been self harm.”

Woop. Woop. Paranoia alert.

“There are more important issues here than your tiny view of RiotACT’s legitimacy or imagined “enjoyment” of covering the issues.”

Ad hominen attacks of people who have ‘tiny views’ doesn’t really cut it. What are the more important issues? It seems to me you don’t feel the need to explain them? Or are you really just trying to justify your original ill-thought out post.

“It’s a shame so many readers would like to shamefully shut discussion down rather than dealing with the real issues.”

Shamefully? To whom? Seems there’s a bit of projection going on here. Nobody has tried to shut down your post. How could they? It’s just that they have disagreed with your original post.

“In my view it’s to the shame of most of Canberra other media (other media in other cities do report on this stuff) that they join the conspiracy of silence on these important matters.”

I think you’ll find if other professional media outlets report on it, it’s after the fact. Not some insensitive, eye in the sky,’lookey here, we have a “jumper” and I’ll follow up on it later on’. I think your attempt at self justification has failed miserably, JB. You would start to look a tad more professional if you admitted your sophomore mistake, and we all just got on with what is generally a very informative and entertaining site.

I apologise to RA if I seem to have gone on a bit here, but as an open and public forum I found the justification for the OP just a little lame.

While the jury is still out for me on the appropriateness or not of ‘reporting’ this, how many of you have undertaken the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) which can actually reduce the need to make the decision to report by reducing the chances of a person getting to that point.

Pommy bastard2:44 pm 05 Feb 09

Clown Killer said :

One of my best friends had a son who took his own life, without warning. Shot himself while sitting in a car on the side of Belconnen Way. To see what did to his family … I formed the view that it is surely the single most selfish act a human can commit.

While I don’t deny it was a selfish act, was the person a totally self centred and selfish person before whatever drove him to kill himself?

It is surely an indication of how deep in dispair someone is, that they would consider killing themselves over and above their families love for them.

tylersmayhem2:29 pm 05 Feb 09

I formed the view that it is surely the single most selfish act a human can commit.

Indeed.

Clown Killer1:57 pm 05 Feb 09

The commonality of experiences when it comes to suicide is staggering. So many of us have had a son or friend or neighbour take their own lives.

One of my best friends had a son who took his own life, without warning. Shot himself while sitting in a car on the side of Belconnen Way. To see what did to his family … I formed the view that it is surely the single most selfish act a human can commit.

I agree with your comments HC.

I have actually had a close family friend commit suicide. He was in his early 20’s and had an amazing family.

We couldn’t believe how or why he would have wanted to do it…

But at the time I honestly had no idea how big an issue it was in Australia.

tylersmayhem12:48 pm 05 Feb 09

The very sad thing is, the few guys I knew who have taken their lives came from the most loving and caring families. I just can’t imagine what must have been troubling them so much.

I hear you Holden. It is just so tragic! I have lost two relatives to suicide + one close friend and another guy I went to school with.

I agree wholeheartedly that the more people are exposed to and understand suicide, more might be able to be done to help troubled souls. But frankly, I do not believe a post titled “Jumper at National Capital Hospital” is doing anything other than cheapening the real issue here, and it appears quite clear it was a slow news day yesterday, or a chance for some sick rubber-necking to occur. “Jumper at National Capital Hospital” is anything but sensitive, nor has a grain of real concern about it.

Maybe it’s me being a little sensitive here, but c’mon, let’s just say that this post is what it is, and don’t stand behind it and say it’s all about getting more “awareness” about suicide for the greater good.

It’s really just odd and disappointing to see this kind of s**t post on here. I’d expect a story titled like this in News Of The World, or some other hack piece of journalism.

Holden Caulfield12:15 pm 05 Feb 09

grundy said :

…When I first read that male suicide was such a big issue in Australia, my first thought was, “Really? I havn’t heard of many suicides.”

Something to think about hey?

You may not have heard of many reports in the media, but you’re doing pretty well if you don’t know (directly or indirectly) of a few young guys that have taken their own lives.

The very sad thing is, the few guys I knew who have taken their lives came from the most loving and caring families. I just can’t imagine what must have been troubling them so much.

Suicide is just so tragic, the more we can learn about what leads people to make such decisions the better. I’m not sure if johnboy’s decision to run this article is absolutely the right or wrong thing, but if one holds strong views against his editorial policy I guess you just choose not to read the article (although, maybe the article title is bordering on poor taste).

I’m guessing for every study one finds that says media reports of suicide are a bad thing there will be an equal number stating the opposite.

The silly thing is, it seems okay to report on a suicide if a celebrity has taken their own life, and in many respects, this could have a far greater effect on anyone considering doing likewise than it might were it some random.

Inappropriate said :

Speak of the devil: this was on the front page of News.com.au http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25010690-401,00.html

A MOTHER is demanding answers after her 10-year-old son apparently hanged himself in a bathroom of his US school…

Without knowing more, but because he was hanging from a hook in a toilet, typically at a height people can reach standing from ground level (its possible he could have been able to detach himself from it afterwards), and there is no mention of any prior unusual behaviour…

I say Choking Game amongst experimental boys.

Inappropriate said :

Speak of the devil: this was on the front page of News.com.au http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25010690-401,00.html

Exactly!

I read that this morning too and wondered if anyone here would notice.

Still support JB with this one.

Inappropriate11:20 am 05 Feb 09

Speak of the devil: this was on the front page of News.com.au http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25010690-401,00.html

ex-nurse said :

I think the difference here is between reporting on a suicide, and reporting on a suicide in potentia.

Reporting about someone killing themselves is a report, reporting about a suicide which is in progress is sensationalism.

Good point.

As long as it’s not swept under the rug, then at least report it afterwards. 🙂

suicides in the media can tip suicidal people over the edge

Probably stating the bleedin’ obvious, but this is possibly why the media doesn’t usually report them. There is a possibility of being sued by relatives of successful copycats.

On the other hand, I know people who have taken their lives, thought about it, or are suffering from depression. I suffered from major depression for 1 week (I got over her eventually), and it’s a horrible place to be.

One good thing about JB reporting this sort of thing, is that it may save someone elses life, because after reading about it, someone may be more aware of a depressed friend, or it may prompt someone to realise that suicide is not the best solution. And just talking is often the best solution.

Also, calling someone a ‘jumper’ when they are still on the roof is crossing a line, surely.

sepi said :

“I can accept that people harbouring intentions of suicide might well be persuaded, even encouraged, to proceed with their plans after hearing about it in the media”

And that is why suicide is not commonly reported.”

..and a good thing too in my opinion. The non-publicizing of suicides is one of the few concessions to decency left in the media.

Good!

Suicide, and male suicide in particular, is a huge issue in Australia.

How can anyone take it seriously though if it’s never reported on!?

When I first read that male suicide was such a big issue in Australia, my first thought was, “Really? I havn’t heard of many suicides.”

Something to think about hey?

I think the difference here is between reporting on a suicide, and reporting on a suicide in potentia.

Reporting about someone killing themselves is a report, reporting about a suicide which is in progress is sensationalism.

johnboy said :

Just so you all know, we will continue to report on public suicides as and when we have news on them.

Some media outlets choose not to, we choose to.

Every incident like this raises questions which the public deserve answers to, not a stonewalling media frequently under the sway of a vocal Catholic minority.

There’s also the issues we’ve encountered before where highly suspicious deaths get swept under the carpet by a broad hint that it *might* have been self harm.

There are more important issues here than your tiny view of RiotACT’s legitimacy or imagined “enjoyment” of covering the issues.

It’s a shame so many readers would like to shamefully shut discussion down rather than dealing with the real issues. In my view it’s to the shame of most of Canberra other media (other media in other cities do report on this stuff) that they join the conspiracy of silence on these important matters.

Good!

Suicide, and male suicide in particular, is a huge issue in Australia.

How can anyone take it seriously though if it’s never reported on!?

When I first read that male suicide was such a big issue in Australia, my first thought was, “Really? I havn’t heard of many suicides.”

Something to think about hey?

“I can accept that people harbouring intentions of suicide might well be persuaded, even encouraged, to proceed with their plans after hearing about it in the media”

And that is why suicide is not commonly reported.

Inappropriate10:51 am 05 Feb 09

While I’ll agree that mental health issues should not be swept under the rug and ignored, there does seem to be evidence that suicides in the media can tip suicidal people over the edge.

http://www.mindframe-media.info/site/index.cfm?display=84352

Gad all this waffle over some lost item of clothing at a public building. Honestly, don’t you people have anything better to do?

Pommy bastard10:39 am 05 Feb 09

Clown Killer said :

I can accept that people harbouring intentions of suicide might well be persuaded, even encouraged, to proceed with their plans after hearing about it in the media – but I don’t believe that reporting suicides encourages otherwise healthy people to head down that track.

I agree, but with some estimates putting it at as many as 1:10 of us suffering depression (the most common precursor to suicide) in our life time, does there need to be any sensationalism of it?

Reporting this might infringe someone’s human rights, and you could be sued for this.

Clown Killer10:28 am 05 Feb 09

I can accept that people harbouring intentions of suicide might well be persuaded, even encouraged, to proceed with their plans after hearing about it in the media – but I don’t believe that reporting suicides encourages otherwise healthy people to head down that track.

There surely would be an underlying requirement of some sort of mental illness to be present for a person to head down that path and suggesting that media reporting of suicide triggers that condition is too farfetched for me.

its third decade, even.

And yes, there was a Micronesian index case for the ‘epidemic’, who got media coverage. :\

Cut and pasted here, bolding mine for emphasis.

As suicide has gained familiarity among youth, the act itself has become increasingly more acceptable or even expected. Suicides appear to acquire a sort of contagious power. One suicide might serve as the model for successive suicides… There has been an apparent increase in suicides amon very young children, aged 10-14. Evidently the idea of suicide has become increasingly commonplace and compelling, and young children are now acquiring this idea at earlier ages.

The suicide epidemic appears to have begun as a very culturally patterned response of youth to conflicts arising within a changing family structure. And once begun, the suicidal acts have acquired a psychological contagion of their own.
The youth suicide phenomenon in Micronesia is now entering its their decade, with no signs of any significant reduction.

Clown Killer said :

It arises from the mistaken belief that reporting on such incidents may encourage others to do the same – this was popular wisdom in the early 70s and the practice remains.

The numbers do actually back this up, though.

This is a paper from 2002 with a passing mention in Youth Suicide and Cultural Change in Micronesia.
http://cpi.kagoshima-u.ac.jp/occasional/vol-36/33-42.pdf

The final paragraph is prettymuch the same conclusion that other papers on it reach too.

Pommy bastard said :

To describe someone, someone who is at such a low ebb as to be thinking of ending their life, a “jumper”, is rather bad form I think.

Who knows what news this person got at the hospital which drove them onto the roof, contemplating ending it all?

how about soon to be gravitally challenged?

johnboy said :

You’re a disgusting individual TM.

And on that note that’s all I have to say here.

So I take it that there will be no ‘More news on this as it comes to hand’?

Clown Killer said :

A reluctance by the media to report on suicide has nothing to do with the privacy of the person involved. It arises from the mistaken belief that reporting on such incidents may encourage others to do the same – this was popular wisdom in the early 70s and the practice remains. The media will often use a turn of phrase that gets the message across but doesn’t focus on suicide … so yesterday’s incident could well be reported as:

Ambulance and medical staff were called to an incident outside the hospital this afternoon when a severely injured man in his late 20s was found on the forecourt. The man died at the scene of head injuries. He had been seen earlier on the roof of the hospital in an agitated state. In issuing a statement a police spokesperson advised that there were no suspicious circumstances…

Suggesting that to report on such events is immoral is trying to read too much into it.

How is this belief mistaken and what can you bring to the table to back up your claim.

Clown Killer9:17 am 05 Feb 09

A reluctance by the media to report on suicide has nothing to do with the privacy of the person involved. It arises from the mistaken belief that reporting on such incidents may encourage others to do the same – this was popular wisdom in the early 70s and the practice remains. The media will often use a turn of phrase that gets the message across but doesn’t focus on suicide … so yesterday’s incident could well be reported as:

Ambulance and medical staff were called to an incident outside the hospital this afternoon when a severely injured man in his late 20s was found on the forecourt. The man died at the scene of head injuries. He had been seen earlier on the roof of the hospital in an agitated state. In issuing a statement a police spokesperson advised that there were no suspicious circumstances…

Suggesting that to report on such events is immoral is trying to read too much into it.

DarkLadyWolfMother9:10 am 05 Feb 09

‘News’ is in the eye of the beholder. Some crave sports news, some can’t see the point.

Anything that interests you could well be called ‘news’.

This interests me. I’m not getting pleasure out of it, nor am I thinking I should go out there and look, take photos or whatever.

This is a person who is at a stage in their lives where they feel that perhaps this is their only option. Somewhere I’ve been myself.

Having been in similar situations, I empathise with them.

And who knows, maybe this bit of publicity might actually help others indirectly; especially if there is perhaps somewhere in ‘the system’ that could have helped this person but didn’t. Maybe the next person will be caught.

Personally I would rather things not be hidden away, as the head in the sand approach rarely actually benefits anyone.

oi…finish reporting on the incident before you climb up on your moral high horse jb!

tylersmayhem said :

How come I can picture JB standing at the bottom of the building screaming “jump, jump, jump” to make something even more news worthy.

You’re a disgusting individual TM.

And on that note that’s all I have to say here.

Now that we are aware of everyones stance on this, Those who are not interested stop reading now.

Now then, Did they jump or was there a happy ending?

Just so you all know, we will continue to report on public suicides as and when we have news on them.

Some media outlets choose not to, we choose to.

Every incident like this raises questions which the public deserve answers to, not a stonewalling media frequently under the sway of a vocal Catholic minority.

There’s also the issues we’ve encountered before where highly suspicious deaths get swept under the carpet by a broad hint that it *might* have been self harm.

There are more important issues here than your tiny view of RiotACT’s legitimacy or imagined “enjoyment” of covering the issues.

It’s a shame so many readers would like to shamefully shut discussion down rather than dealing with the real issues. In my view it’s to the shame of most of Canberra other media (other media in other cities do report on this stuff) that they join the conspiracy of silence on these important matters.

tylersmayhem8:51 am 05 Feb 09

How come I can picture JB standing at the bottom of the building screaming “jump, jump, jump” to make something even more news worthy.

For someone who goes to such efforts to distance themselves from the general media – you’re letting yourself down JB.

tylersmayhem8:48 am 05 Feb 09

It’s news. Sad news. But this is a news forum.

This is NOT news – the same reason you rarely, if ever see even The Crimes nor TV news report on suicides.

I know you are the captain of this ship JB – but this really is poor form mate. Take the feedback on the chin and perhaps not go here again!

Yes, it can be publicly discussed … but the question is whether or not it should be discussed by media outlets (including RA, which shouts long and loud about its legitimacy as a media outlet). I’m with all those above who feel this shouldn’t have been posted. There is no news value beyond cheap voyeurism, and the potential negative effects are serious and significant. Bad call on this one.

If the jumper wanted privacy, they could have sat in their closed garage and turned their car on for 20 minutes. If it’s in a public area then it’s open for public discussion.

willo said :

FFS did the bloody jumper jump….or did the jumper not bloody jump??????????

Personally, I don’t find it newsworthy or interesting, I also think it’s in bad taste. If one of my closest friends of family were up there I wouldn’t want all of you debating whether or not they had jumped.

Given the number of people who clicked on this story and bothered to respond, I’d say it must be newsworthy, regardless of taste.

And apparently I’m just as voyeuristic as the thirty people who’ve posted before me… oh the shame!

I think I might go jump off the hospital…

Oh crap; that spot’s already taken!

Yeah what happened did he jump?

Pommy bastard7:17 am 05 Feb 09

To describe someone, someone who is at such a low ebb as to be thinking of ending their life, a “jumper”, is rather bad form I think.

Who knows what news this person got at the hospital which drove them onto the roof, contemplating ending it all?

FFS did the bloody jumper jump….or did the jumper not bloody jump??????????

Poor taste link… if easily offended do NOT open… if interested to find out if you will be offended trust me you will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SngYwMsxJ4U

Tetranitrate12:23 am 05 Feb 09

Tetranitrate said :

These sorts of incidents should be reported more, not less.

The public at large is blissfully ignorant of the levels of suicide and other serious mental health issues in this and other countries.
Going off http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate
17.1 per 100,000
(admittedly the 2003 rate) – off that about 3 and a half thousand Australians kill themselves each year.

Compare that to the murder rate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_rate)
1.28 per 100,000.
So about 260 a year.

Or the road toll
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2008/Ann_Stats_2007.aspx
– around 1600 in 2007.

People need to have these sorts of incidents rubbed in their faces if only in order to create unbearable pressure for action on governments.

Edit:
whoops – I read the wrong line – 10.8 per 100,000 (I read the male rate, silly me)
It’s still generally higher than the road toll though, yet is talked about even less.

Suicides or suicide attempts are not reported in the media as a rule, as some previous posts have said I dont see any of the other media outlets reporting this.. and some are fairly shameless…

And its for good reason. Its because people who may be on the edge can think they can get a few minutes of attention, and could take part in copy cat behavior.

In my opinion I think this thread is a bit irresponsible.

Maybe you could have a read of this webpage before you say it’s newsworthy… (sourced through the lifeline website)

http://www.mindframe-media.info/

Tetranitrate12:14 am 05 Feb 09

These sorts of incidents should be reported more, not less.

The public at large is blissfully ignorant of the levels of suicide and other serious mental health issues in this and other countries.
Going off http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate
17.1 per 100,000
(admittedly the 2003 rate) – off that about 3 and a half thousand Australians kill themselves each year.

Compare that to the murder rate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_rate)
1.28 per 100,000.
So about 260 a year.

Or the road toll
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2008/Ann_Stats_2007.aspx
– around 1600 in 2007.

People need to have these sorts of incidents rubbed in their faces if only in order to create unbearable pressure for action on governments.

Agree with the nay-sayers above. Should have stayed on the cutting room floor and not been posted here.

I’m glad to hear it, gun street girl, and hope that all is well.

gun street girl10:28 pm 04 Feb 09

Granny said :

I think if there is a situation such as this in a public place like a shopping mall or a hospital, it is good to be informed so I don’t inadvertently go there – especially if I’m accompanied by my kids.

There are many hidden victims when an unexpected violent death occurs, such as innocent bystanders, police and ambulance workers, family and friends, business owners etc.

No fear: the vicinity is cordoned off.

Deckard said :

Who says we’re getting pleasure out if it?

I would say the OP. Look at the second par. Might as well have included the phrase ‘pictures at eleven’.

I think if there is a situation such as this in a public place like a shopping mall or a hospital, it is good to be informed so I don’t inadvertently go there – especially if I’m accompanied by my kids.

I would never want to witness such a thing myself, let alone have my children traumatised in this fashion.

There are many hidden victims when an unexpected violent death occurs, such as innocent bystanders, police and ambulance workers, family and friends, business owners etc.

Personally, I am all for being warned.

Usually people that try and kill themselves aren’t thinking straight either.

Usually people that attempt to kill themselves in public aren’t looking for a bit of privacy.

… public…

Agree NickD. Public suicides are generally reported on afterwards, if there were witnesses (such as the Belco incident).

Why report on this now? Why don’t you just call lifeline and see if you can get some info on how many suicidal people are out there tonight, find out where they live and go and peer through their windows?

This doesn’t affect the puclic if you don’t see it, and shame on anyone who goes to stickybeak.

The reason why the media normally doesn’t report suicides is because it can influence other people who are considering killing themselves (who’s state of mind, it can’t be stressed enough, isn’t very rational). The news value of a mentally ill person trying to kill themselves is nil, and there’s no reason for this story to be here.

I’m with JB on this one.

If it was someone trying to end a long life in the privacy of their own home, let them be… but this, this is a tad more public and affects the public as well.
So report away!

Who says we’re getting pleasure out if it?

Bring back public hangings as well? This warped pleasure in the misfortune of this person, and their family and friends, does not do RA proud.

It’s news. Sad news. But this is a news forum.

It’s also in a very public place, so it’s a little hard to hide. It was widely reported when that woman jumped off the top floor in the Belconnen Mall.

Woody Mann-Caruso8:58 pm 04 Feb 09

Huh? I can’t see a jumper in either the google image or on the site linked above

*rolls eyes*

It’s not live unless you use Google Earth.

grunge_hippy8:57 pm 04 Feb 09

why is this news?

f%$# this place has gone downhill…

No one’s privacy is being invaded through this story, but it’d be nice to hear about this story at its end (successful talk down/tragic loss) rather than as a tease sending our hearts and keyboard bound fingers racing.

Lets hope they came down ok.

Nosey said :

Sorry JB but I have to agree with #1 and #2.

The disrespectfull Canberra Times and other media outlets don’t report on suicidal type stories for reasons regarding respect for the person and family involved.

RA should do the same.

RA has a rep to protect… unlike the CT!!!!

couldn’t agree more……let’s not go here JB.

I really don’t see how an internet forum is invading the privacy of someone who’s sitting on a hospital roof.

Huh? I can’t see a jumper in either the google image or on the site linked above.

well… at least he is in the right place to recieve immediate medical attention

Sorry JB but I have to agree with #1 and #2.

The disrespectfull Canberra Times and other media outlets don’t report on suicidal type stories for reasons regarding respect for the person and family involved.

RA should do the same.

RA has a rep to protect… unlike the CT!!!!

Well, obviously I disagree.

this should not be reported, poor taste.

how about giving this poor person a bit of privacy

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