TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Commit to change? A call to end the publication of the phrase 'commit suicide'
JO  - Wellcome open research
A1  - Nielsen, Emma
A1  - Padmanathan, Prianka
A1  - Knipe, Duleeka
SP  - e21
EP  - e21
VL  - 1
IS  - 
N2  - Background. Countering stigma is a fundamental facet of suicide prevention efforts.  Integral to this is the promotion of accurate and sensitive language.  The phrase 'commit* suicide' has prompted marked opposition primarily due to the connotations of immorality and illegality.  Methods. The study investigated the frequency of the use of the wordstem 'commit', in relation to self-harm and suicidal behaviours, in the three leading suicide-specific academic journals between 2000 and 2015.  Results. One third (34%) of articles published since the year 2000 used the word 'commit*' when describing an act of self-harm or suicide. Over half of these articles (57%) used the phrase on more than one occasion, with 6% using it more than 10 times in the same manuscript. The percentage of papers utilising the word 'commit*' has fluctuated over time, but there is a promising downward trend in the use of this phrase from 33% in 2000 to 13% in 2015 (p < 0.001).  Discussion. We advocate for the implementation of publication requirements regarding the language used when discussing suicide. Whilst we call for collective responsibility amongst academics and clinicians, editors hold a unique position in ensuring that outdated, inaccurate and stigma-laden terms are expunged from the scientific literature.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2398-502X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.10333.1
ID  - ref1
ER  -