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Public Information Office
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Public Information Officer
831.755.4639
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Associate Public Information Officer
831.755.4626
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Members of the news media can call 831-755-4639 during business hours Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm) to request an interview, or for more information. The Public Information Officer is available after hours for urgent or emergency issues or events.
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About HIPAA
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), information about and individual client/patient is protected.
Under HIPAA, the following activities require prior written authorization from a client/patient:
- Issuing a statement regarding the nature of the client/patient’s injuries or illness, treatments or prognosis.
- Photographing or videotaping clients/patients.
- Interviewing clients/patients
For more information about reporting the release of information concerning deaths, epidemics or emerging diseases visit the Association of Health Care Journalists website.
Recommendations on reporting on suicide
Suicide is a public health issue. Media and online coverage of suicide should be informed by using best practices. Some suicide deaths may be newsworthy. However, the way media covers suicide can influence behavior negatively by contributing to contagion or positively by encouraging help-seeking.
Suicide Contagion or “Copycat Suicide” occurs when one or more suicides are reported in a way that contributes to another suicide.
Click here to read Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide.
