Rhonda Kelly, mother of Addison Kelly who died by suicide at age 16 in 2022, still vividly remembers reading headlines about her daughter and the flood of social media comments that followed her passing.
“I can still look back at a post and read all the comments,” Kelly said. “There were about 150 comments. Some were kind and sympathetic, but many were harsh and judgmental.”
Kelly is the marketing chair of the Alex Panton Foundation and founder of the Addison Kelly Mental Health Education Fund. She spoke at the ‘Best Practices Workshop on Mental Health Media Coverage’ held on May 27.
The workshop, organized by the Alex Panton Foundation and led by clinical psychologist Chantal Basson, brought together media professionals from various outlets and representatives from the Ministry of Health.
Kelly highlighted how public posts and their comment sections can deepen the pain for grieving families. Her words served as a strong reminder of the power the media holds in shaping both public opinion and private suffering.
In tragic situations, hurtful comments often appear quickly. These may include blame directed at parents, harsh judgments, and insensitive language, which only add to the family’s distress.
“People need to understand that families and friends see these comments, and they stay online unless removed,” Kelly said. “Some don’t care, but for a family to see someone say ‘The parents should have done better’ just an hour after a suicide is heartbreaking. It’s constant, and many don’t realize who is reading.”
The workshop focused on the media’s responsibility to promote empathy, accuracy, and compassion when covering mental health. This includes not just the reporting itself but also how comments and public interactions are managed.
Participants were encouraged to reconsider their reporting styles, including headlines, story framing, and comment moderation. These elements can either comfort the community or cause further harm.
Basson urged media to adopt a biopsychosocial approach. This means considering biological, psychological, and social factors when reporting on mental health issues.
Emily Kelly, executive director of the foundation, echoed this view. She called on journalists to tell stories that place mental health within the wider context of people’s lives.
In a small community like the Cayman Islands, responsible coverage is especially important. Sensationalism or lack of context can deepen wounds, isolate vulnerable people, and even trigger a “cluster effect”—a rise in suicide risk, especially among youth, after a local suicide.
One journalist noted that stories on social media often become “digital memorials.” “Because Cayman is such a close community, many know someone connected to the issue. The bereaved are watching, so we must show empathy,” they said.
Key principles from the Alex Panton Foundation stress that after a suicide, communities need to “feel held.” Journalists should avoid dramatizing deaths and instead share helpful information such as warning signs, support resources, and stories of recovery.
Some attendees shared the challenge of monitoring online comments. Solutions suggested included disabling comments on sensitive stories, educating readers about the harm caused by careless words, and reminding the public that families are affected by what is said.
One participant summed up the workshop’s challenge: “Are we part of the problem, or part of the solution?”
Rhonda Kelly’s personal story deeply moved attendees. “Having someone like you speak so honestly humanizes the family behind the headlines,” one media professional said. “It’s a tough ask, but it’s what the community needs. People often only see the screen, not the real pain behind it.”
Emily Kelly called the workshop an important step toward changing how mental health is discussed in Cayman. “It was a meaningful dialogue about the mental health landscape and the media’s role in shaping community understanding,” she said.
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