Suicide rates need a community approach

This is concerning for Bendigo and rural communities, because risk of suicide increases with geographic remoteness.

The further away a young person lives from cities, the more likely they are to be at risk.

There are several preventable reasons that increase the likelihood of suicide for rural and regional young people.

When young people try to seek help, they experience difficulties accessing mental health services.

This is because of stigma and social burdens, fewer services, longer waiting lists and higher travel distances.

Other issues include reduced or no access to specialist services.

New youth-friendly service models such as headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Initiative, are looking to address these issues.

But headspace centres are not accessible to all rural adolescents. 

As suicide rates increase by remoteness, headspace centres must be expanded to provide support for those most at risk.

Increased government funding is needed for mental health services, to support young people who have sought treatment, or have been hospitalised for a suicide attempt.

However, ultimately prevention is better than cure.

Directing more money into the public healthcare system is not the best method of preventing suicide and reducing risk. 

Suicide has a devastating and lasting impact on rural communities.

My research has been investigating how health services can work more collaboratively with communities to find solutions to complex health issues. 

Instead of working with one person at a time, and treating ill-health after people have already become unwell, it is better to work at a community level.

I have been investigating how we can design and deliver health programs with communities, which would enable us to intervene early and prevent causes of ill-health.

Better utilisation of existing community resources could support rural young people, and reduce their suicide risk.

There is evidence that targeted interventions can reduce suicide rates.

This would involve developing partnerships between health services, community groups and organisations, such as sporting clubs and schools. 

These partnerships would provide education and increase awareness, supporting young people to access timely and effective care.

School and work participation, and social connections are important to reduce youth suicide. But this needs cooperation from government representatives, community businesses, and local industry. It is unacceptable that the leading cause of death in young people is preventable.

Bendigo, being a regional centre, must take leadership, and act to reduce rural youth suicide in our region.

This requires a shift in focus from treatment to prevention through establishing partnerships within rural communities.

We also need to design and implement innovative, and locally-relevant solutions. By preventing youth suicide, we can support the next generation and our communities to be healthy. 

If you or someone you know needs help, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or visit www.kidshelp.com.au or call headspace on 1800 650 890 or visit www.headspace.org.au