Authors

Sven Silburn
Belle Glaskin
Darrell Henry
Neil Drew, University of Notre Dame AustraliaFollow

Preventing Suicide among Indigenous Australians

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2010

Abstract

This chapter begins with an overview of the recent epidemiological trends in suicide and attempted suicide for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and how this compares with the situation in other post-colonial English-speaking nations such as Canada, the USA and New Zealand. We then review qualitative studies exploring the meaning of suicide within the Indigenous community context, how these inform our understandings of suicidal behaviour and their value for informing preventive action. These highlight the individual, community or situational factors which appear to be associated with increased risk for suicide and suicidal behaviour. Life-course studies of individuals who develop suicidal behaviour or complete suicide are also considered to identify the specific situations and processes that trigger or escalate suicidal behaviour. Recent Australian and international data indicate certain social circumstances, particularly contexts of ‘bereavement overload’, where suicidal behaviours may become socially contagious, with ‘copy-cat’ suicidal behaviour. The chapter concludes with a discussion of what works in prevention, early intervention and post-vention including proactive bereavement support, containment of suicide clusters, as well as longer-term strategies for community healing following collectively experienced trauma.

ISBN: 978-1-74241-091-3

Comments

Due to copyright restrictions this Book Chapter is unavailable for download.

Working Together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principles and Practice may be accessed from the Kulunga Research Network here

Recommended Citation

Silburn, S., Glaskin, B., Henry, D., & Drew, N. (2010). Preventing suicide among indigenous Australians. In N. Purdie, P. Dudgeon, & R. Walker (eds.), Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice (pp. 91-104). Canberra, ACT: Dept of Health and Ageing.