Flowers Are Seen On The Late Robin Williams' Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame In Los Angeles
Flowers are seen on the late Robin Williams' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California August 12, 2014. Comedians, politicians and several generations of fans collectively mourned on Tuesday the death of Robin Williams, the actor famous for his frenetic and freewheeling comedy whose apparent suicide at age 63 prompted an outpouring of tributes. Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is under fire for its seemingly innocuous Twitter tribute to Robin Williams. A suicide prevention group in the U.S. said the Academy risked “copycat suicides” with the text, “Genie, you’re free.”

Hours after Williams’ death hit the news on Monday, the Academy, which is behind the prestigious Oscar Awards, paid tribute to the 63-year-old comedian by posting a photo of Aladdin and Genie from the 1992 Disney animated film.

The photo (click here) sees the two main characters hugging each other at the end of the film.

It reads, “Genie, you’re free,” a line uttered by Aladdin after wishing for his friend’s freedom.

Genie was voiced by Williams.

The post was retweeted more than 320,000 times, and has been favourited almost 230,000 times, which means millions of people have seen it.

When the Academy posted the image, various Web sites described it as an emotional and heartbreaking tribute.

This is a problem, though. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the post appears to romanticise suicide and might encourage other people to emulate Williams’ death.

“Copycat suicide” is a well-documented phenomenon in which vulnerable people commit suicide the same way someone’s death has been reported in the media.

AFSP chief medical officer Christine Moutier told the Washington Post that some people might construe suicide as a liberating option from the Academy’s viral tweet. Also, the starry sky from the image presents suicide in a celebratory light.

Moutier added that the tweet doesn’t follow established safety recommendations for media coverage of suicides.

Other publications have also denounced the tweet, saying that although perhaps done inadvertently, the Academy has sent a wrong message to the youth.

“By tying Williams’ death to the tearful but uplifting finale of a cherished movie, the Academy’s message does just that. It conflates the Genie’s fate with the man who gave him voice. But the Genie’s story goes on after the conclusion of the film, while William’s life has come to a tragic and untimely end. It is the wrong message to send,” the Daily Beast wrote.

The Independent also found the tweet troubling.

“To intimate, however subtly or unintentionally that taking your own life is a liberating action, is irresponsible and dangerous. While someone who is not suicidal might look at the picture of the genie and find comfort, someone whose mind is weighed heavy by depression may see something dangerously different,” it reads.

People in Australia who are feeling vulnerable or need support may contact Lifeline’s hotline at 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.

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