From guidance to practice: Barbados stakeholders commit to responsible communication on suicide

Bridgetown, Barbados, 26 August 2026 (PAHO/WHO) - Continued training, stronger newsroom accountability, support for the mental wellbeing of media personnel and closer collaboration among media, first responders, educators and other communicators are among the actions proposed by stakeholders in Barbados to strengthen responsible communication on suicide.

The actions emerged from a two-day practical training on responsible reporting on suicide hosted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

Bringing together traditional and digital media, emergency service communicators, government communications personnel, educators and mental health practitioners created an opportunity to examine responsible reporting not only from the perspective of the newsroom, but across the wider information chain.

Participants recognised that information about sensitive incidents may originate with first responders and official sources before reaching journalists, online platforms and the wider public, reinforcing the importance of responsible communication at every stage.

Ryan Brathwaite, Inspector - Public Relations Officer, Barbados Police Service, highlighted the responsibility of law enforcement as an important source of information for the media.

"Police officers are generally among the first points of contact for the media, so the information we put out is often what the media will subsequently report. It is therefore important that we choose the right words when issuing releases, provide accurate and appropriate information, and avoid sensationalising suicide or sharing details that are not relevant or that could cause further harm to affected families."

The workshop also highlighted the role of first responders in recognising and responding to persons who may be experiencing emotional distress.

Speaking on the role of first responders, Angela Reveira, Station Officer, Barbados Fire Service, emphasised the importance of being equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond appropriately. "Suicide prevention has not traditionally been a major area of focus for the Barbados Fire Service, but our dispatchers do receive calls from people who may simply say, 'I'm lonely, I need someone to talk to.' As first-line responders, we recognise that these calls will continue, and we need the training and knowledge to respond appropriately and help connect people with the support they need."

Building mechanisms for continued action

During the closing session, participants identified several practical measures to help ensure that the knowledge gained during the training translates into sustained action.

Among the priorities identified was the need for routine training and refresher sessions for media professionals, particularly as new reporters enter the profession. Participants also proposed incorporating responsible reporting on suicide into the Barbados Community College Mass Communications curriculum, helping to introduce these principles to journalists and communicators during their professional training.

Within media organisations, participants encouraged the adoption and visible display of responsible reporting dos and don'ts as an accessible reference for journalists, editors and other communications personnel.

The discussions also highlighted the mental health and wellbeing of journalists and other media personnel who may be repeatedly exposed to traumatic events and distressing content. Participants encouraged organisations to consider appropriate support mechanisms, including psychosocial support, and to recognise and respond proactively to stressors affecting personnel.

Recognising that continued collaboration will be important, participants proposed the establishment of a stakeholder committee to provide a forum for ongoing dialogue on suicide, mental health and responsible communication.

The workshop itself will also have a life beyond the two-day activity. The training sessions were video recorded and will be developed as a resource for future training, helping to extend access to media and communications professionals who were unable to participate and supporting future refresher sessions.

The initiative was supported by PAHO/WHO through the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Partnership and was designed to move beyond the dissemination of guidelines towards practical implementation within the Barbados context.