The number of subway suicides in Vienna increased dramatically between
1984 and mid-1987. In the second-half of 1987 there was a decrease of
75% which has been sustained for 5 yr. This reduction in subway suici
des began when a working group of the Austrian Association for Suicide
Prevention developed media guidelines and initiated discussions with
the media which culminated with an agreement to abstain from reporting
on cases of suicide. The characteristics of suicide and attempted sui
cide on the Viennese subway are discussed and appropriate guidelines f
or media coverage of suicidal acts are presented.