Exposure to Banners and Visual Content Vulnerable to Increasing Suicide Risk

Large billboards promoting the film “Aku Harus Mati” are beginning to be regulated. These billboards are deemed capable of disturbing an individual’s mental health.

Psychiatrist Lahargo Kembaren explains that suicide is a major cause of death, particularly among young age groups. This figure indicates that suicidal behaviour is not a rare phenomenon.

“Around us, many people who appear to be fine are actually struggling silently to stay alive. They seem calm, but inside their minds, a heavy battle is taking place,” said Lahargo on Sunday (5/4).

He explains that in suicidology psychology, there is a term known as suicide contagion or copycat suicide, which is suicidal behaviour triggered by exposure to information, images, stories, or news about death.

This phenomenon is known as the Werther effect. That is, when a psychologically vulnerable person is continuously exposed to messages like ‘I must die’, death images, scary visuals, or dramatisation of hopelessness.

“Then that message can strengthen the existing negative cognitive schema in their mind,” said Lahargo.

He gave an example that when someone has been exposed to visual content, they may think that death is their only way out without other options.

Exposure to words or images can activate similar thoughts. A film title on a billboard like “Aku Harus Mati” can trigger the activation of death-related thoughts. In healthy individuals, the effect might be small. However, in individuals with severe depression, suicidal ideation, or anxiety disorders, this can become a trigger or what is called a priming effect.

In depression, a person often has automatic thoughts such as feeling worthless, that life is over, or the like. A banner with such a sentence can strengthen these maladaptive beliefs.

“Adolescents and individuals who are in emotional distress tend to be more suggestible. Exposure to dramatic visuals increases the risk of imitating behaviour. This is especially dangerous in young ages who are easily triggered by visual things,” he concluded. (H-2)

The regulation was immediately carried out at several points after public reports emerged following the commemoration of National Film Day on 2 April 2026.

PDSKJI assesses that the “Aku Harus Mati” film billboards have the potential to trigger anxiety and distress, especially for vulnerable groups. A call for evaluation has also been conveyed.

Psychiatrist Dr. Lahargo Kembaren warns of the dangers of romanticising death in films and digital content that can trigger suicidal behaviour among vulnerable groups.