Joanne L Harpel, Mphil, CT, JD
suicide bereavement & Postvention specialist
For the Media
As an international authority on the aftermath of suicide with 20+ years of professional experience—and the longtime survivor of my own brother’s suicide—I offer perspective and information through an expert voice, to complement what might be elicited from family members, friends, and/or first responders. I also provide guidance on best practices for safely reporting on or writing about suicide.
I can address:
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How/why suicide occurs, including in individuals who were “the last one you’d expect”
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The relationship between suicide and serious life stressors, such as unemployment, bullying, divorce, or loneliness
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The natural fears and questions following the suicide of a young person, including the possibility of contagion
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What to expect in the aftermath of suicide (what’s “normal” and when to worry)
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The impact of suicide on a school community, faith community, or workplace
Select Appearances
Podcasts
Nina Del Rio's Get Connected
SELECT PUBLICATIONS
After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools
Five Things Every Funeral Director Should Know About Suicide
Food for Thought on Yom Kippur
Grief After Suicide: The Impact on Families
Have You Lost Someone to Suicide?
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: You Matter youth blog interview
Survivor Narratives: Stories of Hope and Healing
Best practices for safely reporting on or writing about suicide
Familiarize yourself with the National Consensus Recommendations for Safe and Effective Reporting on Suicide. Following these evidence-based recommendations can help reduce the risk of suicide contagion.
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Include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (for calling and texting) in all reporting.
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Make clear that suicide is very complicated and is almost always caused by a complex mix of factors, not just by a single event or circumstance. In most cases, these factors include a serious underlying mental health condition such as depression, which can cause intense emotional suffering, but which may not have been obvious from the outside.
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Include that it is safe to ask someone if they may be thinking about suicide. It is a myth that asking a direct question about suicidality can somehow increase risk. The best way to ask: “I’m concerned about your safety. Have you been thinking about death or dying?”