The graphic depiction of suicide in movies has tripled in 1960-2006, a report says, and strangely enough it seems to mirror the teen suicide rate — which also tripled:
An analysis by Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center of 855 top box office films also says there’s no difference between PG-13- and R-rated films in the most explicit portrayals of suicide.
Researchers looked at suicidal behavior explicitness in the top 30 U.S. movies for each year. Lead author Patrick Jamieson says the researchers can’t establish a definite link but the tripling of U.S. teen suicides since 1960 has coincided with the increase in movie suicide portrayals.
He also says exposure to movie suicides has been found to correlate with thinking there’s no effective treatment for mental health problems.
We’re not so sure about a definite link at all between the two, except maybe a larger magnifying glass on suicide itself. Who’s to say that the portrayal in movies isn’t a reflection of the tragic suicides in real life instead of vice-versa??
This is by no means a call to censor movies — we think too much of that happens already to be honest!
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please get help immediately. Help is always available, and always the better option.
[Image via AP Images.]