New Zealand has criminal laws governing what can and can't be said when it comes to suicide, or suspected suicide.

This week Stuff has published two stories from bereaved parents who want to talk open honest discussions about suicide. And while New Zealand is finally overcoming the taboo of discussing suicide, research shows certain types of public discussion could put vulnerable people at risk. Laura Walters reports.

New Zealand is unique in its criminal legal restrictions on publicly discussing or reporting on suicide.

Have you been touched by suicide? Email us at newstips@stuff.co.nz

123RF Research shows some public reports on individual suicides can lead to copycat suicides.

The law in currently undergoing change, with restrictions relaxing in some areas.

Media, suicide bereaved and the general public will be able to refer to a death as a "suspected suicide" before the coroner rules it was self-inflicted.

READ MORE:

* 'Taboo-ness' around suicide in New Zealand needs to end - bereaved mum

* New Zealand suicide reporting laws due to change, here's what you need to know

* New Zealand needs to talk about suicide, bereaved dad says

* The 10 lessons I learned after my young son killed himself

* The silent treatment: How one mum has been stopped from talking about suicide

* Grieving mum speaks out about son's apparent suicide

* Mum of dead boy, 10, hopes to save kids from the same fate

* Mental Health Foundation has concerns over story about apparent suicide

SUPPLIED Mental Health Foundation's Moira Clunie says restrictions are in place to protect those who are already vulnerable.

However, the restrictions on discussing the method of an individual suicide are becoming more stringent.

So why is method the method the most important thing to consider when it comes to publicly discussing suicide?

A body of research has found reporting specific details, especially the method of suicide, can lead to copycat incidents.

Mental Health Foundation Former chief coroner Neil MacLean talks about reporting on suicide in New Zealand.

A contagion effect can occur when an already vulnerable person emulates the suicide of another person following reports or public discussion of the suicide. This is sometimes referred to as a "copycat suicide".

According to a Law Commission report, this phenomenon was first noticed following the publication of the 1774 novel The Sorrows of Young, which depicts the suicide of a young man.

Since then about 80 studies have been carried out on the topic.

MAARTEN HOLL/FAIRFAX NZ Former chief coroner Judge Neil MacLean says we need to strike the right balance when talking about suicide.

After Marilyn Monroe died by suicide in 1962 - something that was widely reported - there was a 12 per cent increase in suicides using the same method.

Similar examples have been studied, including in England and Wales in 1978-9, the UK in 1999, Austria in 2004 and Taiwan in 2012.

In each case, there was a rise in the number of similar suicides, following high-profile media reports that included the method.

REUTERS Superstar Marilyn Monroe died by suicide in 1962, aged 36. There was a 12 per cent increase in suicides using the same method following public reports of her death.

"The evidence is irrefutable that some forms of reporting are strongly associated with a risk of further suicides," the Law Commission report found.

While social media reports have the potential to pose risk to vulnerable people, the risk is lower due to the discussion-type environment rather than an authoritative report.

A New Zealand Medical Journal report by New Zealand suicide researchers Annette Beautrais and David Fergusson says reporting on suicide in any way puts vulnerable people at risk.

"While it is sometimes argued that media publicity is beneficial in that it brings an important social and health issue to public attention, there is, in fact, no evidence that this form of education or dissemination does good."

However, the Law Commission report says the research on this topic does not distinguish good quality suicide reporting from poor quality suicide reporting.

And the studies do not show the person who died by suicide saw the report. Therefore, media reports cannot be labelled as the cause.

Mental Health Foundation (MHF) programme design and delivery director Moira Clunie says while it is important to talk about the issue, this can be done with family and friends, and private peer support groups within the community.

"It's important to talk about suicide and to share stories and informed conversations around suicide and around suicide prevention," Clunie says.

But the legal restrictions are in place for a reason.

Clunie says reports of suicide can give vulnerable people "triggers or pictures" around potential methods.

"It's about going from having a passive idea to an active plan."

The restrictions aren't in place to protect the general public, they're protecting people who are already vulnerable. Those people tend to gravitate towards stories that mention suicide.

Clunie says the law hasn't been effective in what it set out to do.

"Media feel as though they're being silenced….that's led to more open reporting around the issue."

New Zealand should take a leaf out of Australia's book when it comes to comprehensive guidelines and training around suicide reporting, she says.

New Zealand has reporting guidelines, which were developed in conjunction with media.

At the moment, most of the work MHF does with journalists in this area is reactive, Clunie says.

Former chief coroner Judge Neil MacLean says he understands why the restrictions are in place a "sensible balance" is needed.

People in New Zealand are apprehensive when it comes to talking openly about suicide.

There's still an element of shame, he says.

"I think it goes back into our culture and our history. It's one of many topics that's been traditionally a bit taboo."

Judge MacLean, who was a coroner for 30 years, says he's sat in many community meetings where people affected by suicide are "hungry for information".

"Almost everybody's been touched by it in some way."

They want to talk about what's happened and they want answers.

The issue with the "degree of caution" around talking openly about suicide is rumours abound.

"It's like chinese whispers."

People need to be careful about how they discuss suicide but it should be discussed.

Mainstream media are not interested in writing silly stories that might put people at risk but they want to tell the story, Judge MacLean says.

And increasingly families want their stories told as the element of shame or embarrassment previously associated with suicide is overcome.

WHERE TO GET HELP

Lifeline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 354

Depression Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 111 757

Healthline (open 24/7) - 0800 611 116

Samaritans (open 24/7) - 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz

0800 WHATSUP children's helpline - phone 0800 9428 787 between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.

Kidsline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.

Your local Rural Support Trust - 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)

Alcohol Drug Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free.

For further information, contact the Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service (09 623 4812).