Rachel Kirby-Rider, Executive Director of Fundraising and Communications, said:
“There is extensive research which demonstrates that inappropriate portrayal, or reporting, of suicide can lead to imitative behaviour among vulnerable people.
"For this reason, Samaritans publish media guidelines on the portrayal of suicide and has been working with the media for more than two decades.
“Although challenging, the media has an important role to play in showing the complex realities of suicide. This can help people to understand the permanency of suicide, the devastation left behind and encourage help-seeking behaviour.
"Samaritans provides expert advice and guidance to news media and programme makers on how to safely cover this very sensitive subject.
“We were pleased that Coronation Street came to us for guidance on their storyline of character ‘Hayley’ ending her life, as a result of her terminal illness. Our role was to help them to cover this as safely as possible, not to approve their decision to run the story at all.
“Samaritans believes that shutting down coverage of suicide is unhelpful, as this could drive discussion underground and deter people from talking about their problems.
“It is important that programme makers continue to consult with us, whenever touching on suicide as a subject matter. The consequence of not getting it right poses significant risk, we can help make sure this is done in a safe and responsible way."