The MPAA rates films with one of five ratings. We all know this well. The issue I'm putting out here is how we deal with suicide in all the media. As of 2011, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. That makes over 40,000 people in one year. The number is not only increasing but has to be an underestimate because of the many ways of committing suicide that aren't listed as such. A search of IMDB comes up with over 5,800 hits of titles and topics relating to suicide. This is big numbers. The MPAA ratings don't give any kind of warning that there may be graphic depiction of a suicide. Whether it be a classic like It's a Wonderful Life or something more recent like Running from Crazy, suicide is a recurring theme. Depiction of suicide makes it to television. Quite graphically people jump from bridges or "eat a bullet." Remember Lethal Weapon? Why am I bringing this up now? I recently met with a patient (yes, I'm a mostly-retired clinical psychologist) who lost a child to suicide as well as an extended family member. Both of them were adolescents. It is devastating to the survivors and their families. I know they (youngsters) are a high risk population. So are creatives of any age. While I am not advocating any kind of barrier to including suicide in an entertainment media... and yes, I've written stories that included suicide...I think it is incumbent on the industry to at least give people a heads up about it in the MPAA rating. In order to avoid spoilers, it might be a good idea to include the possibility of a suicide depiction in the rating. Why? Because while the intent (idea) of suicide MIGHT not be learned, the methods always are. The more graphic the depiction, the more likely a method will show up in an attempt or successful suicide. No spoilers, enough said, but a generic warning that there may be a graphic depiction of a suicide MIGHT reduce the probability of a spate of similar attempts and, worse, successes. How about some feedback about such a head's up in the MPAA notice?
Anything Goes : WARNING! Viewer discretion...is it advised? by Lawrence R. Kotkin
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Lawrence, you bring us an exceptionally good point. While I'm usually against labeling anything, you're absolutely right that this is a serious problem in society that needs to be addressed. Warning labels would only be a small about of icing on a huge cake, but if the entertainment industry does something to address the problem, it would bring more awareness to the issue. One possibility might be to have a: "Violence, Self Inflicted" warning, to avoid spoilers, along with a larger campaign to address the issues behind why the warning is necessary.
Thank you both for your support. Brian, I especially like your term for the alert: Violence, Self-inflicted. Croatia, my apologies if I was unclear. The loss was of a patient's child and a close relation's child. I can't be more specific than that for confidentiality/privilege reasons as I am, and was, his psychologist. I still see him perhaps once a month. This reminds me that I have a multitude of stories to tell and put on the screen (silver, tv, and otherwise). Given the number of movies where this is a critical event, I was amazed that no such alert exists. Perhaps it's time.
Delighted to have come across this discussion, as I'm hoping to write a play on the subject. We live on the banks of the River Shannon (ROI) since the 'recession' (depression) we have witnessed a serious increase in air/sea rescue helicopters hauling bodies from the waters of the river. Most of these deaths are suicide! There's that awful moment, as the helicopter blades become audible, then you feel that unnatural vibration right down to the core as your heart sinks for the loved ones of the latest lost soul. On a personal basis, I've know many people to have lost their lives by their own hand. To that end, I was going to write it from the 'Otherside' if you like. In a non-religious fashion. I'm more comfortable with social psychology than individual, that said I have great ideas but don't always manage to deliver!!!