The fall of two 17‑year‑old girls from an apartment building in Greece, which resulted in the death of both children, brought once again in a dramatic way to the forefront one of the most sensitive issues of public health: suicides among minors and the management of mental health crises in young people.
The incident reopened the discussion around the way in which the Media cover such cases and whether public discourse contributes to prevention or, on the contrary, reinforces stigma, dramatization and dangerous oversimplification. In Cyprus, the issue remains particularly sensitive, with experts underlining that suicidality is not the result of a single event but a complex mental health condition that requires timely recognition, support and scientific treatment.
Public health issue
Mental health experts point out that serious psychological crises and suicidal behaviours rarely appear suddenly. Behind each such case, there are often pre‑existing psychological burden, traumas, social isolation, family difficulties, anxiety or depression, a feeling of dead end that remains invisible for a long period of time.
Scientists warn that the search for a single “cause” after a suicide creates a misleading image for the public and shifts the discussion away from the essence of prevention.
Cyprus Police: No publication of suicide cases
In its response, the Cyprus Police clarified that the non‑publication of suicide cases is a deliberate policy adopted as best practice. The Police consistently implement this approach, considering that publication does not serve public interest and does not provide benefit to the wider public.
On the contrary, the projection of such sensitive personal data negatively affects the lives of the relatives of victims. Police maintain continuous communication with Media, following journalistic ethics.
There are cases, however, that take public dimension, such as that of Stylianos. In such cases, the Police respond within the framework of transparency, without entering details.
There are, however, cases that take on a public dimension, such as the case of the minor Stylianos. The Police clarified that they had not proceeded to publicise the incident on their own initiative. However, when asked by the Media to make statements, they responded positively within the framework of their long‑standing policy of information, transparency and safeguarding the right of citizens to be informed, without, however, going into details outside the framework of ethics. It is characteristic that in the official announcement of 29 November 2019 on the appointment of an investigating officer regarding the findings of the Commissioner for Administration, there was only a one‑word reference to the “death” of Stylianos, without any other reference to the causes.
Regarding the broader practice, the Police stated that they proceed to publicise a death when there are indications of criminal activity or when the causes must be investigated to determine or rule out the possibility of negligence by third parties, as occurs in fatal road collisions or workplace accidents. If, during the investigations, evidence arises excluding criminal activity or negligence, the Police inform the public and Media representatives accordingly.
The same policy of non‑publication is also strictly applied in cases of rape or abuse. By contrast, arsons are publicised, as they constitute a form of crime that in the majority of cases is linked to organised crime, is rarely due to opportunistic behaviour and does not concern the privacy or sensitive personal data of those involved. If, however, the motives of an arson relate to the interpersonal relationships of perpetrators and victims, publication is avoided. The Police stressed to Politis that the prevention of imitation is a decisive factor taken seriously into account in the application of their communication policy.
Taken together, the developments highlight how sensitive such cases remain in Cyprus, where the balance between public information and the protection of individuals is particularly delicate. As authorities maintain a policy of limited disclosure, the broader discussion continues to centre on how society addresses mental health, safeguards vulnerable individuals and ensures that public handling of such incidents does not cause further harm.
