Critics Drag Kansas City Talker Pete Mundo Over Eric Zahnd Self-Harm Terminology

This week Kansas City's top conservative talker has endured more than a bit of "correction" from his rapidly growing audience. 

With a TRIGGER WARNING regarding the tragic topic of self-harm . . . Here's the Pete Mundo post that sparks the push back and etiquette check . . . 

Hundreds of comments along with tens of thousands of reactions and shares have resulted in questions about media terminology. 

And so . . .

Given that this blog has always questioned how Kansas City communicates . . . We wanted to share and discuss the question . . . 

HOW SHOULD LOCAL MEDIA ADDRESS THE SORDID TOPIC OF SELF-HARM IN A PUBLIC SETTING?!?

Insiders and experts explain the dilemma . . . 

Mental health organizations, medical experts, and guidelines from groups like the IASP discourage using the term "committed suicide".

The correct and recommended term is "died by suicide" instead of "committed suicide".

Why Avoid "Committed Suicide"?

Implies a crime: The word "commit" is normally used for crimes or sins, such as "commit murder" or "commit a crime".

Increases stigma: Framing suicide as a crime or moral failing adds shame and can stop people from asking for help.

Ignores health context: Suicide is usually the result of severe mental illness or emotional pain, similar to dying from a physical disease. You do not "commit" a heart attack or cancer.
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Moving forward here at www.TonysKansasCity.com we might not live up to this standard given that "86" has kind of become a catch-all phrase for a conclusion . . . Still, we think that it's important to consider as language and local sensibilities continue to evolve . . .

Developing . . .