Webinar for journalists: Best Practices for Reporting on Suicide
To be held on March 28 at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time).

Washington, DC, 17 March 2017 (PAHO/WHO) —- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) invites journalists from the Americas to participate in a webinar examining challenges and best practices in reporting on suicide. The webinar will be held on March 28 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time).

Covering suicide—a tragic but highly prevalent public health problem—poses special challenges for journalists and news organizations. The Best Practices for Reporting on Suicide webinar will discuss strategies and terminology that can be used to report suicides in an informative, accurate and responsible way to better serve readers and their communities.

The instructors are Dr. Dévora Kestel, chief of PAHO’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse unit, and Dr. Dan Reidenberg, executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE).

The seminar will take place on the occasion of World Health Day, April 7, which this year is focused on depression, the leading cause of suicide in the region of the Americas.

About our instructors:

Dévora Kestel
Chief of PAHO/WHO’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse unit
Presentation: Depression, the leading cause of suicide

Dévora Kestel is a senior mental health policy specialist at PAHO/WHO with more than 25 years of international experience implementing and advising governments on national policies related to mental health systems. She is a strong advocate for the rights of people with mental health issues.

Dan Reidenberg
Expert in mental health and suicide prevention.
Presentation: Reporting on suicide in a safe and effective manner

Dr. Dan Reidenberg is Executive Director of SAVE, Managing Director of the National Council for Suicide Prevention, US Representative to the IASP and Co-Chair of the International Media and Suicide Task Force. He serves on the editorial advisory boards and as a reviewer for several magazines.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. Founded in 1902, it serves as the WHO Regional Office for the Americas and is the specialized health agency of the inter-American system.

IMAGES:
Dévora Kestel
Dan Reidenberg