Youth suicide
Youth suicide is an issue that has gained much deserved focus and attention within Australian society. Young people are vulnerable in a number of different ways to many risk factors that may lead to self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. These risk factors include feelings of despair, worthlessness, low self esteem, lack of identity, guilt, extreme sadness, and hopelessness.
These risk factors are also often confounded by cultural, societal and individual pressures and influences on young people. A young person may more acutely feel the stress of isolation if they are a cultural minority and/or exposed to racist or prejudiced influences. Or, a youth may feel disenfranchised and isolated due to sexuality issues, especially in rural and remote communities.
It is important to acknowledge that being a youth in Australia today often carries with it many difficulties. There are a number of competing pressures, influences and expectations that need to be juggled by children and adolescents every day. A normal child or adolescent has to navigate the world and learn to survive various challenges and adversities, many times whilst forming their own identities. The transition periods between child and adult are hard, and can be fraught with danger.
Overlay this journey with other factors such as socioeconomic disadvantage, broken families, grief, loss and bereavement, sexuality issues, racism, mental illness, physical illness, various abuses, bullying, and suicidal ideation, and you get a sense of how complex, multifaceted and draining growing up can be.
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On this page
Access links to webpages and pdf documents
Where possible resources are specific to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, adolescents and their families. Some resources are not specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, but contain important information on the topic.
Please let us know if there are other resources you find useful.
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Report
Working Well Guide: Reflections on providing suicide prevention projects in remote Aboriginal Communities in Central Australia (pdf 666 kb)
Also
A report compiled for the We Know Our Strengths Project, a partnership between Waltja Tjukangku Palapayi Aboriginal Corporation and the Life Promotion Program, Mental Health Association of Central Australia.
This is a 103 page report from an Aboriginal Corporation and a Mental Health Association. It is mainly aimed at non-Indigenous workers and those who want to know more about Central Australian Aboriginal communities. The authors describe the ‘book’ as an ‘introductory resource’ relating to suicidal behaviour and death by suicide.
Aboriginal suicide is different (pdf 451kb)
Criminology Research Council
This report is the outcome of a project funded by the Criminology Research Council. The report seeks to gain an understanding of youth suicide in Aboriginal and Maori communities.
Australian Aboriginal suicide: The need for an Aboriginal suicidology?
Auseinet
This article by Terri Elliott-Farrelly provides a general background to Indigenous suicide relevant to youth.
Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Information Leaflet
Lifeline
A pamphlet that provides good information in regards to warning signs and ways of supporting those who are suicidal as well as how to seek help.
Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Resources
Lifeline
A list of resources from various sources, that have been compiled to assist those that may be suicidal.
Working together to stop Aboriginal suicide and self harm in Western Australia
A comprehensive report from the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention. This is specifically for Indigenous people in Western Australia discussing strategies for minimising the impact of suicide.
Suicide prevention in Aboriginal communities
This brochure is from the Indigenous Psychological Services in Perth, Western Australia, and is written by Dr Tracy Westerman and Sharon Hillman. It describes the development and evaluation of a state wide initiative into the prevention of Aboriginal suicide in Western Australia.
Far North Queensland Suicide Prevention Taskforce
Website designed to provide support and information for those working in Far North Queensland with people who are suicidal from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Rights of Indigenous Children
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), Australia
This document contains general discussion on the rights of Indigenous children. It also contains more specific information relating to youth suicide within Indigenous communities.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviours and deliberate self injury
Guidelines from Mental Health First Aid that have been adapted to be specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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