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Philip Polkinghorne arrives at the High Court at Auckland for the first day of his trial for the murder of Pauline Hanna.
photo: NZME/Michael Craig
WARNING: THIS STORY DISCUSSES THE SUBJECT OF SUICIDE
Suicide prevention experts have urged the High Court at Auckland to consider the risk of “suicide contagion” posed by media coverage of the criminal trial of a retired surgeon accused of murdering his wife.
Philip Polkinghorne charged with murdering Pauline Hannah In 2021, they staged it as a suicide at their home in Oakland.
Tania Papalii, chief adviser at the Office of Suicide Prevention, has written to the judge presiding over the case.
Earlier this month, responding to concerns from the Mental Health Foundation, Justice Long said the court had no power to dictate how accredited media organisations reported on proceedings.
“I call on the court to consider advice provided by senior national and international experts on suicide prevention that outlines the evidence of the link between publicly described methods of suicide and further copycat deaths,” Papali wrote.
“The suicide prevention unit is particularly concerned about further deaths associated with this case, (and) has initiated interventions to monitor any associated deaths, particularly through the use of detailed description methods.”
Papalii presented advice from four experts in Auckland, Melbourne, Vienna and Toronto.
Judge Long requested that this information be made available to the media and attorneys.
Dr Sarah Fortune, director of population mental health at the University of Auckland, said she was concerned about reports of repeated references to methods of death related to suicide.
“I understand that your House is currently examining this case from a criminal perspective, which from a legal perspective is very different to examining the circumstances of a person’s death under the Coroners Act.
“However, I believe that repeated reporting, including detailed photographs of means associated with suicide, is likely to have contributed to an increase in deaths by suicide in New Zealand.
“I think that this is a criminal case and it has no material impact on the likelihood of suicide contagion compared to a case heard in the coroner’s court.”
Fortune, who sits on the suicide and media expert panel that works with the chief coroner to approve exemptions for reporting of suicides, said if the criteria were applied in the trial, given the likely size of the media audience, “there is a real risk of contagion … and that risk is not outweighed by repeated direct references to the method of suicide in the public interest”.
A letter from the Centre for Mental Health and Community Wellbeing at the University of Melbourne expressed concerns about the murder trial.
Professor Jane Pirkis, director of the centre, said a large body of research “clearly demonstrates that irresponsible reporting of suicide leads to copycat behaviour”.
She understood the case was a murder, “but since the legal argument was whether the death was due to homicide or suicide, this method was clearly what someone would use to commit suicide.”
Pilkis said in such situations, journalists must adhere to best reporting practices to avoid potential harm.
The Center for Public Health at the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Toronto also provided advice.
The case will resume tomorrow.
How to get help:
Need to talk? Whatever the reason, call or text 1737 for free anytime to speak to a trained counsellor.
lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text “HELP” to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This service is for people who may be considering suicide or are worried about a family member or friend committing suicide.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or SMS 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youth Hotline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
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If there is an emergency and you feel you or someone else is in danger, call 111.
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