
Murder-Suicide
Murder-suicides are very rare and yet tend to receive a disproportionate amount of media coverage. Language and framing of news stories featuring murder-suicides can be extremely challenging for reporters for a number of reasons. In this section you will find advice for reporting murder-suicides as well as the accepted definition. This section will be updated as more becomes known about the reporting implications of murder-suicides.
Advice for reporting on murder-suicides
Murder-Suicide Quick Reference Guide

Audiences can react to your content in unpredictable, and sometimes harmful ways. Journalists and producers are advised to provide details of helplines alongside any potentially harmful or triggering content. For audiences needing help dealing with issues around murder-suicide or domestic violence you can direct them to:
The Samaritans
116 123 (24-hour helpline)
Women’s Aid
1800 341 900 (24-hour helpline)
The Samaritans
116 123 (24-hour helpline)
Women’s Aid
1800 341 900 (24-hour helpline)
About Headline
Headline is Ireland’s national programme for responsible reporting, and representation of mental illness and suicide. Our objective is to work as collaboratively as possible with Irish media professionals across print, broadcast, and online platforms to reduce the effects of suicide contagion, and the stigma attached to mental ill health.


