Running head: SUICIDE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS

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Suicide Prevention and Awareness: Genre Analysis of a Photograph and Article

Yesenia Molina
The University of Texas at El Paso

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Suicide Prevention and Awareness: Genre Analysis of a Photograph and Article

Suicide is never the answer. The number of people who have attempted to commit suicide
and those who have committed is high. It is important to raise awareness and to help prevent
suicide. The public needs to be informed about the devastating stories of suicide. On October 12,
2012 Lateef Mungin published an article on Amanda Todds story about how being blackmailed
and bullying lead her to commit suicide. Carlos Navarro a suicide prevention advocate and
creator of his project The Suicide Sign. Navarro posted a photograph in his social networks; the
photograph had an advice towards the public. Navarros photograph obtained publicity and this
is how his project The Suicide Sign initiated. The photograph of Carlos Navarro gives a strong
message to the public. Both genres raise awareness to its audience about suicide. Social networks
have an important impact in our society and these two genres convoke the reality in how media
affects how audiences perceive suicide.
Audience and Purpose
Suicide is tragic but it can often be prevented. The Suicide Sign is a step forward in
preventing suicide. The sign is being held by Carlos Navarro who is reaching out to help
audience with suicidal thoughts. The purpose of this photograph is to give personal advice and
help raise awareness about. Navarro tries to persuade his audience that suicide is not the answer
for your problems. Artists all around the U.S take photographs with this sign and use it to help
save lives. The sign states, Suicide does not end the chances of life getting worse; suicide
eliminates the possibility of it ever getting better.(Navarro, 2014) In this photograph Navarro is
holding the sign, but there are many artists who promote his sign on social networks such as
Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. One of these artists is Ryan Seaman who is a musician in the
band Falling in Reverse. Artists are aware of the suicidal thoughts that individuals have and try

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to prevent it with positive images of hope. A photograph can destroy somebodies idea of suicide
and this photograph prevents suicide and helps raise awareness.
Mungin posted an article on the video Amanda Todd posted on YouTube where she shares
her story in a video titled Struggles, Bullying, Suicide, Self-Harm. Mungin purpose was to inform
and share Todds story to the public. The targeted audience for this article is concerned adults
about suicide. Todds story is about a bullied and harassed teen who took her life on October 10,
2012 at the age of 15. In the video Todd uses flashcards to share her experience in being
blackmailed and bullied. Todd was 12 years old when she lifted her shirt for someone on the
other end of the camera. Todd was harassed by this man who threatened her with her topless
pictures. Since Todd refused to show more, the stranger sent her pictures to everyone. Todd
attempted to take her life; she drank bleach. Todd was taken to the hospital to flush the chemical
out of her. She moved to another city but her past followed her; after six months on Facebook
she would still be humiliated and make fun of. They would mock her with pictures and memes of
her drinking bleach. These images and memes didnt destroy Todds idea of suicide instead they
made her question her why she was still alive. Todd had anxiety major depression and panic
disorder which increase the possibility of a suicide occurring. She showed the warning signs of
suicide and she didnt receive the help she needed. Todd was bullied and the man terrorized her
until her death and even after she committed suicide shes made fun of. Mungin main purpose to
post her article it was to inform the public about Todds devastating story.
The audience is expected to spend more time on Mungin article since it contains more
information on Todds story. The audience is expected to spend less time on the photograph of
Navarro since its simple and straight to the point. The photography gives a direct advice for
people with suicidal tendencies and the article addresses its audience about the story of a

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troubled teen that committed suicide. The photograph is informal and appropriate for the
audience, since Navarro is trying to approach his audience with common feelings about suicide.
Mungin article is more formal and appropriate for the audience since her target audience is adults
with concerns about suicide. Both genres address the problem of suicide.
Rhetorical Issues
Navarro is able to establish credibility to the audience since he is a suicide prevention
advocate. The message in the sign is positive towards preventing suicide. This photograph
evokes the sense of awareness for the audience. Its a black and white photograph and Navarro
has a serious face when holding the sign in photograph which conveys that the photograph is
addressing a serious issue-suicide. The sign that Navarro holds is the most important in this
photograph since it has clear and direct message in black letters that stands out from the grey
background, Suicide does not end the chances of life getting worse. Suicide eliminates the
possibility of it ever getting better. This photograph is important because its message promotes
support and love from nationwide celebrities. The message the sign gives is logically coherent.
This image evokes a sense of empathy because it tells the audience that they are not alone and
they can receive support and encouragement.
The article that Mungin wrote helps establish credibility because it is posted in CNN, CNN is
a credible source. Mungin summarizes and analyzes Amanda Todds story that Todd published
in her YouTube video. Mungin clearly states that Todd was only 15 when she committed suicide.
The purpose of this was to create an emotional reaction from her audience. In the soundless,
black and white video, the teen showed one card after another. Each card painfully sinking the
viewer deeper into the anguish too many teens have experienced, (Mungin, 2012) is the way

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Mungin opens up Todds story. Since Mungin is summarizing the story and by adding her
description of the occurred events she sounds logical. The last card Todd uses to end her story is
I have nobody. I need someone. My name is Amanda Todd." Mungin clearly adds I have
nobody. I need someone, as Todds last words to grab your attention and convey that if Todd
had received the attention she needed her suicide could of been prevented.
Structure
This photograph goes right to the point and is very clear. This photograph is capable of
encouraging people to not commit suicide and understand that life gets better. Navarro is able to
communicate his message clear since it conveys that people care and are willing to help. The
article does have some limitations since its basically summarizing. Mungin should have added
more information on suicide. Navarro achieves its purpose since it gives clear advice to the
audience, raises awareness, and helps prevents suicide. Mungin achieves her purpose of
informing her audience about Amanda Todds suicide and she also helps raise awareness.
Conclusion
Society is greatly affected by media. Media should publish more photographs that
communicate this message of hope. This could make the difference in someones life. In Mungin
article we read about how in social networks Amanda would get mock and humiliated. If media
was to publish more photographs like Navarros photograph and less images that mock people.
Then maybe it would help reduce suicides. Navarro established credibility, gives advice, and is
logical in the message conveyed through his photograph. Mungin established credibility,
informed her audience, and raised awareness through her article. In conclusion, social networks

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have an important impact in our society and these two genres convoke the reality in how media
affects how audiences perceive suicide.

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References
Mungin, Lateef. (2012, October 12). Bullied Canadian teen leaves behind chilling YouTube
video. CNN. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/12/world/americas/canada-teen-bullying/
Navarro, Carlos. (n.d.). The Suicide Sign. Instagram. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from
http://instagram.com/thesuicidesign

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