Helping prevent suicide and paying respect to Ruslana Korshunova
by Catherine Morgan

What won't Fox News do for ratings? Clearly, there is nothing they won't do. I was sick last night when I briefly flipped to Fox News, to find them using the suicide of a young model for nothing more than ratings. What I saw was not news, it was a tabloid.

I wasn't the only one who was outraged by the disrespectful coverage...

This is from a post at Bubblegum Culture...

The “fair and balanced” crew are at it again, this time rejecting taste and discretion for ratings. Last night, Fox News’ “Geraldo At Large” showed footage of the dead body of model Ruslana Korshunova, who fell to her death from a New York high-rise this past weekend, in an apparent suicide. The 20-year-old model appeared on European Vogue covers and walked in several high-profile fashion shows, including Marc Jacobs.

The show featured long shots of the model’s body, lying on the street, partially covered by a sheet. Knowing one showing isn’t enough to jack the ratings to their liking, they showed the footage again and again, in a half screen as Geraldo chatted with guests, and juxtaposed with footage of the model walking the runway.

This is from Cele|bitchy...

In a segment on Fox News this morning with Geraldo Rivera they actually showed footage of 20 year-old supermodel Ruslana Korshunova’s body on the pavement in front of her NY apartment. I’m not going to post it here, but I can’t talk about without a link at least, so here’s a link to that video - extreme warning.

At first it looks like they’re only going to show the body bag, which is what CNN usually does and seems a bit morbid but not disrespectful. Instead they showed footage of her face with blood on it as seen underneath an emergency vehicle for over half a minute.

Geraldo says all sensational-like: “These are the last images of her broken body being lifted off the Manhattan sidewalk, where shocked and sickened witnesses watched her smash onto the concrete. This image stands in stark contrast to the fairtale images of the famous face, chestnut hair that made her modeling’s next big thing.”

Then they show her white face from underneath a car and the word “exclusive” flashes on the screen. Just because she was a model doesn’t mean she deserves to have her death broadcast. Great “exclusive,” Fox.

From 5 Resolutions...

We were saddened to hear of the suicide of model Ruslana Korshunova this Saturday. Korshunova, 20, was featured in ads for DKNY, Vera Wang and Christian Dior. She had just returned from a modeling job in Paris.

Suicide leaves loved ones to grapple with the most painful unanswered question: why? Friends and colleagues have expressed their shock, one of them saying that Korshunova had appeared to be "on top of the world." Other reports have pointed to the model's online social networking pages as a possible clue to her emotional suffering.
Our thoughts are with Korshunova's friends and family as they deal with this tragic loss of such a young and vibrant life.

5 Resolutions also provided a link to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline...

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With more than 130 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.

BlogHer Contributing Editor Laurie, posted this on her blog LaurieWrites...

A distant cousin of mine jumped from a building in DC and died a few years ago because he was just, apparently...really sad. Have you noticed that this life is hard? And that some people have days where it being over seems preferable to dealing with whatever shit is shoveled their way? It's not a real stretch sometimes, folks. And it's is sad to see this group of jerks jump all over a person who just died yesterday not even considering that depression can sink in deep and leave you less than concerned with your appearance.

Who knew about this young woman before yesterday? Did anyone, besides the people in her immediate sphere (if they did), see her or know her as anyone other than a page in a magazine? Now that she took the drastic step of plunging out of the window of a high-rise building to her death, she's everyone's business, and everyone with a microphone claims to know why she did it.

I think we have big problems. And as much as stories like this make me ashamed of the media outlets who cover them, they make me all the more determined to be a small part of the solution.
(read Laurie's full post here at LaurieWrites)

Suicide is a tragedy that should not be exploited for ratings.

Thankfully, there are organizations who want to help prevent suicide. On Sunday, the PostSecret site, posted this video by HopeLine...

 

 

Learn more about suicide prevention...

Recognizing The Warning Signs of Suicide - from WebMD

Warning signs that someone may be thinking about or planning to commit suicide include:

  • Always talking or thinking about death
  • Clinical depression -- deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating -- that gets worse
  • Having a "death wish," tempting fate by taking risks that could lead to death such as driving fast or running red lights
  • Losing interest in things one used to care about
  • Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless
  • Putting affairs in order, tying up loose ends, changing a will
  • Saying things like "it would be better if I wasn't here" or "I want out"
  • Sudden, unexpected switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy
  • Talking about suicide or killing one's self
  • Visiting or calling people to say goodbye

Be especially concerned if a person is exhibiting any of these warning signs and has attempted suicide in the past. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, between 20% and 50% of people who commit suicide have had a previous attempt.

SAVE - Suicide Prevention Information.

Facts About Suicide...

Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year.

Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.

There are twice as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS.

For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death.Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.

80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.

15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide.

There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion.

Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.

By 2010, depression will be the #1 disability in the world. (World Health Organization)

Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention.Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.

There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt. (CDC, AAS)According to the Violent Death Reporting System, in 2004 73% of suicides also tested positive for at least one substance (alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana).

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at catherine-morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Care2 Election Blog

Submitted by Catherine Morgan (view blog) on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 03:57

Comments

 

Suicide is not a bad word, it's a sad word

This year a student in the high school where I teach committed suicide. The official word from the authorities was that "he had died." Apparently the family didn't want the truth to come out, and so no real dialogue took place. But, of course, all the students knew. And it was suggested that we teachers are not prepared for dealing with this, and should not bring it up. I had my students write in their journals a couple of days later, and only a few students commented on the boy and how sad and upset they were. To too many of the students, if they didn't know him, they didn't seem to care, it didn't seem to penetrate into their intense concern for themselves. That is yet another tragedy.

If we don't act like a village, each helping each other--and recognizing that we each need to act responsibly--then these teenagers will grow into adults who are only concerned about themselves and viewing scurrilous pictures.

Luckily, we hadn't read "Romeo and Juliet" yet, so that gave us an outlet to talk about suicide and reflect on what Romeo and Juliet could have done instead of picking up the poison and the dagger. I hope I was able to contribute to the village.

Laura (blogging at www.rebelliousthoughtsofawoman.com)

Submitted by rebellious thinker on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 04:16
 

Regarding truth

In response to the comment by rebellious thinker...

When my fiance committed suicide, I initially only told people that he had passed away. I also invented a cause of death for when people asked "how?" I guess I thought it might tarnish the memory of him.

Eventually  however, I decided that it was best to tell the truth and to talk about his sadness and struggles.  About a year later, a friend's cousin committed suicide, and the discussions began again. It's important that people talk about suicide and recognize the warning signs.

Submitted by skigirl1369 on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 05:18
 

Our family went through the

Our family went through the same thing a few years ago when my Uncle committed suicide. It was hard at first to admit what had happened... no one wanted people to think differently of him. Over time though, we all realized it is easier to heal if you talk about it. Our family now does Suicide Awareness walks with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org). I highly recommend people checking out their website. They have a lot of information on warning signs and depression, as well as research being done about suicide and educational resources.

As for Fox News, I didn't catch the coverage, but that is awful to sensationalize something like this and use it for ratings.With subjects like this, it is important how it is portrayed and they should respect the family of the young woman. It is a hard enough time on them now, they don't need something like a "news" station adding to the pain for their own gain.

Submitted by anportiale on Sun, 08/31/2008 - 07:20
 

Let's talk about life: No more euphemisms

Skigirl,

I'm so sorry for your loss--that must have been devastating.

The more we open up and talk about the sensitive issues we face in life, the better it will be for us all. When I "came out" and told my parents that I was getting divorced and that they should tell their friends, and tell them why, and not just cover it up with some lofty sounding euphemism, it was amazing how many other people had daughters or nieces or relatives or friends who had been emotionally abused in their relationships. If we would just stop hiding the realities of life, it could help us all deal so much better. It was a relief for us all to know that I was not alone.

Laura (blogging about the euphemisms and the realities behind them at www.rebelliousthoughtsofawoman.com)

Submitted by rebellious thinker on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 10:37
 

Suicide Prevention

In the past year I know of four middle school and high school boys who have hanged themselves and two high school girls who attempted suicide. What a calamity. It's devastating to think of. As a high school teacher we are told to notify the counselors when we are concerned about any student. Hopefully the more we are aware, the more we can prevent. Thanks for the info on the website.

Laura, www.RebelliousThoughtsofaWoman.com

Submitted by rebellious thinker on Sun, 08/31/2008 - 08:41
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