'People' story on Rehtaeh Parsons 'irresponsible', health expert says

Rehtaeh Parsons is seen in this family photograph taken from Facebook.

A Canadian expert on teen mental health says a People magazine feature story on Rehtaeh Parsons is 'irresponsible' and could increase the risk of suicide amongst other teenagers struggling with mental illness.

Dr. Stanley Kutcher says a July 5 feature story on Parsons – called ‘Shamed into Suicide’ – glorified the 17-year-old’s life.

“There are many issues around media reporting any suicide,” Kutcher told CTV Atlantic on Tuesday. “A phenomenon called suicide contagion exists most in young people, and mostly in girls, and that sensational reporting of suicide in young people actually has been shown to increase risk in vulnerable kids.

“Whereas reporting that is not sensationalized, that’s factual, that explores the issues, doesn’t,” he continued.

The article was published three months after Parsons’ death.

Her family alleges she was sexually assaulted by four boys in November 2011, and a photo of the incident was passed around her school, prompting months of harassment and bullying.

Parsons hanged herself April 4 and was taken off life-support three days later

The three-page magazine spread features several photos of Parsons with her parents and describes how police didn’t lay charges when the teenager reported the incident, but have since reopened their investigation.

Kutcher said the article broke a number of guidelines on the reporting of suicide.

“It suggests that suicide might be a reasonable and understandable reaction to a terrible, difficult, stressful set of life events,” Kutcher said. “Not a good suggestion for kids.”

Kutcher also pointed out that the article didn’t provide any information about where to find help for those struggling with depression.

“I think, frankly, it’s irresponsible to write a story, that we know already goes against the grain of recommendation, and on top of that doesn’t provide a lifeline to kids that might actually need that lifeline.”

CTVNews.ca was unable to find the People story online.

With a report from CTV Atlantic