Technology: Building Social Connections or Breaking Them Down?

Last week, a friend at work told me that she had given up watching TV for Lent. She said "every time I give up TV, my quality of life goes up". I thought of her immediately today as I read this new article in TIME, "Logged on, checked out...of relationships?" The article discusses a study (published in the March issue of the journal Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine) which studied adolescents during two periods of time (1988 and 2004). The adolescents who spent more time watching TV or playing video games were more likely to report lower quality relationships compared with those who logged less screen time.
I find this fascinating because I have followed the debate among colleagues and friends regarding the increase in the use of technology and its impact on social connections. For example, kids that may be "outcasts" at school may find friends online. They may have hundreds of Facebook "friends". They may find lots of kids with similar interests by joining "groups" online. However, one has to ask, are Facebook friends "real"? I personally have 355 friends on Facebook, but would only consider about 10 of those people close friends in my day to day life. Is it worth it to focus your time and attention to online activities (as noted above) to the detriment of your "real life" relationships with friends and family?
In looking at how social connectedness can be a protective factor for things like suicide, the question has also come up: "Is it the quantity or quality of relationships that really count?" In research on college students, studies like Healthy Minds are beginning to indicate that it is the quality that counts. However, unlike my previous posts where it has been easy for me to take one side or the other...I'm torn about this issue. The authors of the above study were as well...they note that there is an obvious correlation between online activities and relationship quality, but the causal link is not clear.
Therefore, I believe it is probably some happy balance that is best. Facebook friends and groups are not all superficial and time wasters. People can connect (or in many cases, "reconnect") with friends and colleagues with shared histories or interests. I've seen Friends post a concerning or unsafe status and 20 people jump in with words of encouragement or offers of help...which is wonderful. On the flip side, it helps to turn the computer or TV off and enjoy the world around us...strengthen those connections with those we live with, eat dinner away from the TV, etc. And of course on that note, I'll log off. LOST starts at 9pm ;)

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Confirmed: Alexander McQueen Died by Suicide. When will Entertainment Reporters Catch on to Recommendations for Safe Reporting on Suicide?

The fashion world suffered a great loss last week. For those of you who also drool over Sandra Bullock's SAG award dress...or Sarah Jessica Parker's ensemble for the London Premiere of 'Sex and the City', you must be familiar with the designs of Alexander McQueen. The British fashion designer died by suicide last Thursday.
As I read multiple accounts of his death via various sources of entertainment news, I am continually struck by the irresponsible reporting of a celebrity suicide. In 2001, Reporting on Suicide: Recommendations for the Media, a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Mental Health, Office of the Surgeon General, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Association of Suicidology, and Annenberg Public Policy Center was released. Research indicates that the way suicide is reported in the media can contribute to additional suicides and suicide attempts. Conversely, stories about suicide can inform readers and viewers about the likely causes of suicide, its warning signs, trends in suicide rates, and recent treatment advances. The above recommendations have been developed to assist reporters and editors in safe reporting on suicide. In 2005, these recommendations were even summarized to be a quick "At a Glance" reference for reporters.
I'm highlighting what I see as a typical entertainment news story on Alexander's death and how this and stories that first surfaced late last week basically do the opposite of what is recommended for safe reporting.

What NOT to Do:

• Avoid detailed descriptions of the suicide, including specifics of the method and location. This article provides a description of the location and method of the suicide.
  
• Avoid romanticizing someone who has died by suicide. Avoid featuring tributes by friends or relatives. Avoid glamorizing the suicide of a celebrity. Many articles have simply included tributes by fellow celebrities, such as Lady GaGa, Madonna, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
• Avoid oversimplifying the causes of suicides, murder-suicides, or suicide pacts, and avoid presenting them as inexplicable or unavoidable. Although many articles have highlighted that Alexander was a survivor of his best friend's suicide three years ago (which can be a risk factor for suicide) and that he lost his mother just a week before his own death...we don't know the myriad of risk factors that could a played a role in this tragedy. Suicide is a complex system of risk and protective factors, that cannot be explored in a two paragraph article.

What TO Do:

• Always include a referral phone number and information about local crisis intervention services. I did not see this in any articles that I read.
• Emphasize recent treatment advances for depression and other mental illness. Include stories of people whose treatment was life-saving or who overcame despair without attempting suicide. Again- Nada.
• Interview a mental health professional who is knowledgeable about suicide and the role of treatment or screening for mental disorders as a preventive strategy. Um- Nope.

But not to be discouraged! Many newspapers and news reporting organizations have begun to ask for training on this issue (SPRC is a resource). However, I would argue that the entertainment news organizations are the last to follow. Are national and statewide suicide prevention organizations reaching out to places like E! News? Access Hollywood? People Magazine? I would bet that these news organizations have a much higher readership than many local/national newspapers. Advocates, are you listening? Contact these organizations! There is a desperate need to improve the safety of reporting on celebrity suicide.

Resources:
Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.

• Call for yourself or someone you care about
• Free and confidential
• A network of more than 140 crisis centers nationwide
• Available 24/7

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