Abstract
Oi vay! In the December 2002 issue of Australasian Psychiatry I had the misfortune to co-author an article on the links between literature and psychiatry, in which my colleague, Dr Kathleen Bokey, and I embarrassingly mentioned ‘the copycat suicidal behaviour that followed the suicide of the 16-year-old lead singer of the pop group, Silver Chair’ [p. 398]. 1 We identified the group's song, Suicidal Dream, as a potential culprit. Readers were quick to point out that the group's lead singer, Daniel Johns, was alive, relatively well (he apparently suffered, in full media gaze, from a rheumatological condition) and, in any case, was currently enjoying the affections of a young female celebrity. My embarrassment is particularly acute for two reasons. First, as Editor of ‘AP’ I am understandably keen that my own articles are accurate. (As tempting as it is, I cannot defend the error as a surreptitious attempt to gauge whether papers in the journal are actually read.) Second, as an adolescent psychiatrist I figure that, if I do not always dress or speak like my patients, then I should at least have a more intimate, up-to-date knowledge of a teenager's world. Nevertheless, the error was almost worthwhile for it brought to the surface the latent creative talent of several readers, who chose to correspond with me. One email in particular stood out (Chris McDowell, pers. comm. 2002):
On reading your otherwise exemplary article, I was shocked to learn of the apparent tragic suicide of Daniel Johns at the tender age of 16, as well as the unfortunate copycat suicidal behaviour that ensued. Certainly, the song Suicidal Dream was not the pinnacle of Western rock song-writing, with a lyrical sophistication rivalling AC/DC's Whole Lotta Rosie, but it wasn't worth topping oneself over.
I then remembered with much relief that reports of Mr Johns' death have been grossly exaggerated, and in fact he continues to achieve monumental success with silverchair (note the trendy lower case spelling), playing to sell-out concerts worldwide despite recent struggles with reactive arthritis (not fatal, I believe). Additionally, he maintains an enviable relationship with Miss Natalie Imbruglia.
I really think that if your journal is to maintain and build on its younger demographic, then such obvious errors will only damage its already minimal street credibility and drive readers to better informed journals such as Juice or even Rolling Stone.
Chris McDowell
FRANZCP
Rock Fan
Never let it be said that all psychiatrists are staid or uncool! Perhaps that is the province of some psychiatrist-editors and their friends. No need to insert tongue or navel rings just yet, though. Turning the radio dial may suffice. It goes without saying that an apology is extended to Daniel Johns. We trust that his reactive arthritis is not exquisitely sensitive to stressful news.