Publishing alarming statistics and headlines without scientific analysis can exacerbate public anxiety and mimicry behaviors among vulnerable individuals; a phenomenon that research has confirmed in the form of the “Werther effect”. In contrast, the media can play a preventive role in the framework of the “Papagno effect” by providing hopeful narratives, promoting mental health literacy, and introducing help pathways. Despite the development of national guidelines, poor media education, news competition, and a lack of effective oversight have hindered responsible coverage of suicide news. This policy brief, based on scientific evidence, suggests five key strategies for responsible media production and preventing the reproduction of harm in the publication of suicide statistics