Hollywood’s Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation behind the Oscars, is facing sharp criticism for a tweet it sent out marking the death of actor Robin Williams, on the grounds that the tweet appeared to glorify suicide as a means of escape and could spark off a suicide contagion among vulnerable individuals.
Even as fans world over grieved over Mr. Williams’ suicide on Monday night the Academy posted a tweet including a screenshot of ‘Genie’ from the animated Aladdin film, whose voice was supplied by Mr. Williams, accompanied by the words, ‘Genie, you’re free.’
With more than 300,000 sharing the tweet health professionals and suicide-prevention groups warned that this sentiment could potentially provoke copycat behaviour among those suffering from depression and related mental illnesses.
“If it doesn’t cross the line, it comes very, very close to it,” said Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was quoted saying, and she added: “Suicide should never be presented as an option. That’s a formula for potential contagion.”
Similarly Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of U.K. charity Papyrus said to The Guardian that he was “particularly concerned” that the tweet sent a harmful message to people in need of help.
He further noted that it was possible for “sensitive reporting of suicide” that avoided details of method or location to have a positive outcome, including reducing its stigma and encouraging people to seek help appropriately
