Suicide prevention

Home: K to 12: Respect Protect Connect Program: Information for educators

This is an extract from the Respect Protect Connect workshop manual, by Timothy O'Leary and Russell Pratt.

In a New Zealand based study, Beautrais (2000) outlines the interplay of the following five risk factors for suicidal ideation and behaviour:

• Social and family risk factors.
• Individual and personality factors.
• Mental health factors.
• Stressful life events and adverse life circumstances.
• Environmental and contextual factors.

Her article makes fascinating reading.

Although the overall suicide rate in Australia (21 per 100,000) is the same now as 100 years ago, between 1965 to 1987, there has been a significant rise in suicides among 15-19 year old Australian males. For the 20-29 year old group of men, the suicide rate increased by 66%. (Kosky, 1987). A significant number were Aborigines.

Since the colonisation of Australia, the indigenous suicide rate has become the highest in the country. Most indigenous suicides are by men. Over a third of all deaths in custody between the years 1990 to 1997 were due to suicide. Of these, 35% were prisoners aged between 15 - 24 years. Sixty-six per cent of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody were young men aged between 15 -19 years. All were alone.

In 1997, suicide accounted for 29.2% of all male deaths in Australia (Lynskey, Dengenhardt & Hall, 2000). Many of these men were likely to have been gay, bisexual and sexually abused men living in rural areas (Howard & Nicholas, 1998) which have higher rates of youth suicide than cities (Cantor & Neulinger, 2000).

Suicidal behaviour is rarely found in children under 14 years of age (Cantor & Neulinger, 2000).

Respect:

Be respectful in language and demeanour when talking about issues concerning suicide. It makes the difference as to whether people see you as approachable or not.

Protect:

If you notice behaviours that may indicate depression or suicide, follow it up! Tomorrow may be too late.

Connect:

Suicide prevention on the web:
Reachout http://au.reachout.com/
Kids help line: 1800 551 800 http://www.kidshelp.com.au/
Lifeline 13 11 14 http://www.lifeline.org.au/
Suicide Prevention Helpline: 1300 651 251 http://suicidepreventionaust.org
Care Ring: 13 61 69

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1.9.1: Homophobia and suicide prevention

The extent of homophobia, especially in rural settings, has led to gay, bisexual and sexually abused young men being amongst the highest risk groups for youth suicide. Internalised homophobia becomes self-loathing unless it is re-framed as society's problem.

The danger period begins from the time the young man considers himself gay, but before he has disclosed this, and been affirmed in his identity. In a 1998 study by the National Centre in HIV Research at La Trobe University, 70% of 750 Same Sex Attracted (SSA) young people reported being abused or harassed at their secondary school (Hillier et al, 1998). This finding is supported by a Melbourne study by the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby, (Enough is Enough, 2000) which reported that 84% of gay and lesbians surveyed experienced discrimination or abuse. Those who had been physically, or emotionally abused were more likely to be drug users.

Enough is Enough found that four out of five gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered people had experienced some kind of physical or verbal assault - just for not being straight!

Other findings outlined high rates of discrimination:

• One in two suffered discrimination in the workplace.
• At school or university, one in three faced discrimination.
• One in four experienced discrimination when in medical settings.
• One in five were discriminated against by the police.
• In the pursuit of housing, one in ten were discriminated against.

Gay and lesbian relationships are not formally recognised by the law. The above points are human rights abuses that serve as an embarrassment to Australia's image as a free and democratic country. (Contact the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby on vglr@hotmail.com)

Respect:

'Coming out' about one's sexuality is an ongoing, multi-stage process, and not a one- off event.

Protect:

Sexuality development especially when it differs from those around them, may well be occurring in isolation from peers' and family. It is essential to provide positive information about homosexuality so that young men can safely explore their sexuality.

Connect:

Young men may have difficulty accessing information about homosexuality, despite a plethora of information about heterosexuality. The Action Centre has some great wallet sized cards for boys about sexual identity issues. Pamphlets and posters are also available from the Gay Men's Health Centre/Victorian Aids Council. The Victorian Education Department also has a sexuality kit called Catching On.

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