Young 'lack psychiatric treatment'
by DAWN GIBSON
In The West Australian, 22 October 2005
Article begins: "Medical treatment of suicidal young people has improved little over the past four years..."
The article is based on a report by the The Office of the Auditor General of Western Australia:
FOLLOW-UP PERFORMANCE EXAMINATION
Life Matters: Management of Deliberate Self- Harm in Young People
This report follows up our November 2001 report Life Matters: Management of Deliberate Self-Harm in Young People. That examination compared the care given in hospital emergency departments and community health services with medical guidelines.
What the examination found... Overall, the Department of Health (DoH) has made limited progress in addressing our recommendations:
To download the full report from The Office of the Auditor General of Western Australia go to:
http://www.audit.wa.gov.au/reports/report2005_08.html
28 October 2005
21 October 2005
Suicidality, interpersonal trauma and cultural diversity: a review of the literature
Sarah Stewart, Education Centre Against Violence, NSW Health, Sydney, Australia
In: Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH), Volume 4, Issue 2, 2005
There are substantial bodies of literature focusing on suicide and interpersonal trauma, and on suicide across cultures. There is also a growing body of knowledge relating to interpersonal trauma across cultures. However, there is a marked gap in the literature that brings these three areas together. Studies that specifically investigate the prevalence of suicidality in relation to experiences of domestic violence, sexual assault and childhood abuse in a cross-cultural context are indeed scant. Moreover, inconsistencies in data collection and reporting and considerable variability in results among the few existing studies highlight substantial methodological limitations and definitional differences in the research. The identification of at-risk groups is thus hampered, as is an examination of possible risk and protective factors. What is clear is that interpersonal trauma and suicide are linked in significant and complex ways. What is less evident is how culture mediates this inter-relationship. It is suggested that gender and cultural biases in suicide research may well account for our limited understandings in this area. Implications for practice include the need for alternative research perspectives and more inclusive frameworks that promote greater cross-discipline dialogue and intersectoral collaboration. There is thus ample scope for further research in this area so as to elucidate the implications for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention1 work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Contact: Sarah Stewart
Sarah_Stewart@wsahs.nsw.gov.au
View the article at: www.auseinet.com/journal/vol4iss2/stewart.pdf
Sarah Stewart, Education Centre Against Violence, NSW Health, Sydney, Australia
In: Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH), Volume 4, Issue 2, 2005
There are substantial bodies of literature focusing on suicide and interpersonal trauma, and on suicide across cultures. There is also a growing body of knowledge relating to interpersonal trauma across cultures. However, there is a marked gap in the literature that brings these three areas together. Studies that specifically investigate the prevalence of suicidality in relation to experiences of domestic violence, sexual assault and childhood abuse in a cross-cultural context are indeed scant. Moreover, inconsistencies in data collection and reporting and considerable variability in results among the few existing studies highlight substantial methodological limitations and definitional differences in the research. The identification of at-risk groups is thus hampered, as is an examination of possible risk and protective factors. What is clear is that interpersonal trauma and suicide are linked in significant and complex ways. What is less evident is how culture mediates this inter-relationship. It is suggested that gender and cultural biases in suicide research may well account for our limited understandings in this area. Implications for practice include the need for alternative research perspectives and more inclusive frameworks that promote greater cross-discipline dialogue and intersectoral collaboration. There is thus ample scope for further research in this area so as to elucidate the implications for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention1 work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Contact: Sarah Stewart
Sarah_Stewart@wsahs.nsw.gov.au
View the article at: www.auseinet.com/journal/vol4iss2/stewart.pdf
Internet Suicide Pact
Article in: Daily Telegraph, 1 October 2005, page 25
Reports on Britain's first internet suicide pact, which has prompted calls for websites promoting suicide to be banned.
In Australia:
the Federal Parliament passed the proposed telecommunication bill to amend the Criminal Code Act, to make it a criminal offence to use the Internet to counsel or incite suicide. The new legislation includes a maximum penalty of $110 000. The act states that is an offence to use a carriage service for suicide related material and possessing, controlling, providing, supplying or obtaining suicide related material for use through a carriage service for the purpose of directly or indirectly counselling or inciting someone to complete or attempt suicide. http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb/browse.aspx?NodeID=448
Article in: Daily Telegraph, 1 October 2005, page 25
Reports on Britain's first internet suicide pact, which has prompted calls for websites promoting suicide to be banned.
In Australia:
the Federal Parliament passed the proposed telecommunication bill to amend the Criminal Code Act, to make it a criminal offence to use the Internet to counsel or incite suicide. The new legislation includes a maximum penalty of $110 000. The act states that is an offence to use a carriage service for suicide related material and possessing, controlling, providing, supplying or obtaining suicide related material for use through a carriage service for the purpose of directly or indirectly counselling or inciting someone to complete or attempt suicide. http://parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au/piweb/browse.aspx?NodeID=448
Call for suicide deaths and attempts on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands to be made public.
Article in The Australian, 3 October 2005, page 7
Kate Reynolds, Democrats Aboriginal Affairs spokeswoman has called for the database of suicide deaths and attempts on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands to be made public, to reveal the true extent of suicide in the remote and troubled region.
Also see SA Democrats website:
http://sa.democrats.org.au/html/
20 October 2005
Males and Suicide: Pathways Forward – Weaving Research, Policy and Practice Together
13 & 14 October 2005 Christchurch
New Zealand males have significantly higher rates of completed suicide than New Zealand females. The New Zealand male rate of suicide is three times that of the New Zealand female rate. In 2002, 460 people died by suicide; 350 were male and 110 were female. In 2002, 78 Maori died by Suicide; 59 were Male and 19 were female. High rates of male suicide are not confined to New Zealand but are indicative of trends occurring in other countries around the world.
SPINZ have decided to focus the annual Symposium on ‘Men and Suicide’ as a means of weaving policy, research and practice together and provide a platform for informative discussion and a pathway forward. This Symposium will look at what are important risk and protective factors for males and promising approaches for making a difference. The Symposium will combine examples of research, policy, and practice which span the Prevention / Intervention and Postvention landscape of Suicide Prevention in New Zealand.
Details at:
http://www.spinz.org.nz/page.php?p=29
Top 12 issues threatening our children's health
Research Australia, 10 October 2005
Alarming levels of poorer health within indigenous children and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds tops a new list of 12 major issues threatening the future health of the nation.
Created by Research Australia in consultation with child health experts and using the latest data from the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the ‘Top 12 Health Issues Facing Australian Children’.
Issue 2. Mental Health – experts are convinced more and more Australian children are suffering poor mental
health with depression, suicide and behavioural disorders on the rise. Children from step, blended or sole
parent families are more than twice as likely to have a mental health problem.
Media release from Research Australia available from their website:
http://www.researchaustralia.com.au/whatsnew.asp?id=142&parent_id=142
Research Australia, 10 October 2005
Alarming levels of poorer health within indigenous children and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds tops a new list of 12 major issues threatening the future health of the nation.
Created by Research Australia in consultation with child health experts and using the latest data from the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the ‘Top 12 Health Issues Facing Australian Children’.
Issue 2. Mental Health – experts are convinced more and more Australian children are suffering poor mental
health with depression, suicide and behavioural disorders on the rise. Children from step, blended or sole
parent families are more than twice as likely to have a mental health problem.
Media release from Research Australia available from their website:
http://www.researchaustralia.com.au/whatsnew.asp?id=142&parent_id=142
Masculinity a health hazard
By Carol Nader, Health Reporter, The Age, October 12, 2005
TRADITIONAL views about masculinity are damaging men's health and are partly to blame for men suffering significantly poorer health than women, according to Sex Discrimination Commissioner Pru Goward.
Ms Goward will tell a men's health conference [6th National Men’s Health Conference incorporating the 4th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Convention, Melbourne, Monday October 10th - Wednesday October 12th 2005] in Melbourne today that the key to the "profound disparity" in health between men and women is masculinity.
Among 15 to 29-year-old males, the risk of accidental death is about four times higher than for women of the same age, suicide is six times higher and violence-related death is 1½ times higher.
Access the article at:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/masculinity-a-health-hazard/2005/10/11/1128796526563.html
By Carol Nader, Health Reporter, The Age, October 12, 2005
TRADITIONAL views about masculinity are damaging men's health and are partly to blame for men suffering significantly poorer health than women, according to Sex Discrimination Commissioner Pru Goward.
Ms Goward will tell a men's health conference [6th National Men’s Health Conference incorporating the 4th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Convention, Melbourne, Monday October 10th - Wednesday October 12th 2005] in Melbourne today that the key to the "profound disparity" in health between men and women is masculinity.
Among 15 to 29-year-old males, the risk of accidental death is about four times higher than for women of the same age, suicide is six times higher and violence-related death is 1½ times higher.
Access the article at:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/masculinity-a-health-hazard/2005/10/11/1128796526563.html
Men's health expert asks: what's there for blokes to look forward to in retirement?
As a generation of Australian baby boomers slow down in their careers and start planning for the next phase of their non-working lives, a University of Western Sydney men's health researcher asks: What's there for blokes to look forward to in retirement? Mr Anthony Brown, from the UWS Men's Health Information and Resource Centre, specialises in older men's issues, particularly those around retirement. He is presenting papers at the 6th National Men's Health Conference, which is running from 10-12 October in Melbourne. Mr Brown says many blokes dream their retirement years are going to be spent fishing or playing endless rounds of golf, but when the initial holiday feeling wears off, they are left feeling a bit lost and with a sense of having 'nothing to do'.
Mr Brown, who is doing a PhD on men's retirement, said many feel disappointed and frustrated that they were no longer productive or in control of their destinies and suicide rates spiked for men over 60.
To connect to the UWS Latest News website go to:
http://apps.uws.edu.au/media/news/index.phtml?act=view&story_id=1363
As a generation of Australian baby boomers slow down in their careers and start planning for the next phase of their non-working lives, a University of Western Sydney men's health researcher asks: What's there for blokes to look forward to in retirement? Mr Anthony Brown, from the UWS Men's Health Information and Resource Centre, specialises in older men's issues, particularly those around retirement. He is presenting papers at the 6th National Men's Health Conference, which is running from 10-12 October in Melbourne. Mr Brown says many blokes dream their retirement years are going to be spent fishing or playing endless rounds of golf, but when the initial holiday feeling wears off, they are left feeling a bit lost and with a sense of having 'nothing to do'.
Mr Brown, who is doing a PhD on men's retirement, said many feel disappointed and frustrated that they were no longer productive or in control of their destinies and suicide rates spiked for men over 60.
To connect to the UWS Latest News website go to:
http://apps.uws.edu.au/media/news/index.phtml?act=view&story_id=1363
The WA Aboriginal Child Health Survey
Aboriginal children have higher rates of suicide attempts, with 9 per cent of girls and 4.1 per cent of boys attempting suicide in the previous 12 months.
Full report can be found at:
http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/waachs/publications/volume_two.lasso
Aboriginal children have higher rates of suicide attempts, with 9 per cent of girls and 4.1 per cent of boys attempting suicide in the previous 12 months.
Full report can be found at:
http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/waachs/publications/volume_two.lasso
Understanding deliberate self harm : an enquiry into attempted suicide [Thesis]
Wyder, Marianne, University of Western Sydney, 2004
This study focused on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of suicidal behaviour of 90 people who had come to the attention of the Accident and Emergency Department of Westmead Hospital, Sydney, N.S.W., after an attempt to harm themselves. The risk factors identified in the study were combined with the circumstances and motive of attempt. Participants were regrouped according to whether the problems the respondent described were chronic (longstanding) or acute (pivotal). The participants were further classified according to the persistence of thoughts of self-harm ( impulsive or non-impulsive/deliberate) and the presence or absence of these feelings at the time of the interview (the resolution of the attempt) and the types of problems/situations and triggering events the person described as wanting to escape. By developing strategies and treatments for the problems as they were identified in this study and by raising the awareness that there is help available for these different issues, we may be able to reduce the pain which results in an attempt to self harm.
http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20050831.165416/
Wyder, Marianne, University of Western Sydney, 2004
This study focused on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of suicidal behaviour of 90 people who had come to the attention of the Accident and Emergency Department of Westmead Hospital, Sydney, N.S.W., after an attempt to harm themselves. The risk factors identified in the study were combined with the circumstances and motive of attempt. Participants were regrouped according to whether the problems the respondent described were chronic (longstanding) or acute (pivotal). The participants were further classified according to the persistence of thoughts of self-harm ( impulsive or non-impulsive/deliberate) and the presence or absence of these feelings at the time of the interview (the resolution of the attempt) and the types of problems/situations and triggering events the person described as wanting to escape. By developing strategies and treatments for the problems as they were identified in this study and by raising the awareness that there is help available for these different issues, we may be able to reduce the pain which results in an attempt to self harm.
http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20050831.165416/
19 October 2005
Health Support Psychologist
Providing psychological services from a Division of General Practice through the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care initiative. Program development work and collaboration with GP's 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours per week) with a salary package equivalent to $50-60K pro rata, 12 month renewable contract.
The HealthSupport Psychologist will join a team of five private practitioners in providing brief, evidence-based interventions for GP patients referred under the Access to Psychological Services Project. You will work in cooperation with the existing Mental Health and Suicide Intervention Programs at the Division. The role includes independent clinical work along with program development and promotion tasks. Essential criteria includes registration with the Psychologist Board of WA and a Masters degree in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, or equivalent experience. Applications addressing selection criteria must be received by 9am Wednesday 9th November 2005.
For full details of selection criteria and job description, please email lynn.s@gpcoastal.com.au or phone Lynn on 08 9389 9144.
Providing psychological services from a Division of General Practice through the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care initiative. Program development work and collaboration with GP's 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours per week) with a salary package equivalent to $50-60K pro rata, 12 month renewable contract.
The HealthSupport Psychologist will join a team of five private practitioners in providing brief, evidence-based interventions for GP patients referred under the Access to Psychological Services Project. You will work in cooperation with the existing Mental Health and Suicide Intervention Programs at the Division. The role includes independent clinical work along with program development and promotion tasks. Essential criteria includes registration with the Psychologist Board of WA and a Masters degree in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, or equivalent experience. Applications addressing selection criteria must be received by 9am Wednesday 9th November 2005.
For full details of selection criteria and job description, please email lynn.s@gpcoastal.com.au or phone Lynn on 08 9389 9144.
13 October 2005
Senior Researcher, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention - Griffith University
Salary range: $49,944 - $55,883 per annumMt Gravatt campus
A Senior Researcher is required by the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention to Manage the externally funded Queensland Suicide Register (QSR) project. The Manager is required to maintain the QSR by accessing all sources of information, processing data and liaising with government representatives and members of the public. Experience in statistics, writing research articles, abstracts for conference presentations and progress reports to external funding bodies is essential to the position.The position is offered on a fixed term full time basis for a period of 12 months. For further info please see: www.griffith.edu.au/hrm/employment/
Salary range: $49,944 - $55,883 per annumMt Gravatt campus
A Senior Researcher is required by the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention to Manage the externally funded Queensland Suicide Register (QSR) project. The Manager is required to maintain the QSR by accessing all sources of information, processing data and liaising with government representatives and members of the public. Experience in statistics, writing research articles, abstracts for conference presentations and progress reports to external funding bodies is essential to the position.The position is offered on a fixed term full time basis for a period of 12 months. For further info please see: www.griffith.edu.au/hrm/employment/
Just Published!
Promoting Mental Health: Concepts, Emerging Evidence, Practice
This international book aims to bring to life the mental health dimension of health promotion. It describes the concepts relating to promotion of mental health, the emerging evidence for the effectiveness of interventions, and the public health policy and practice implications.
The evidence provided for the health and nonhealth interventions for mental health benefits is likely to be useful to health policy planners and public health professionals. The emphasis, however, is on the urgent need for a more systematic generation of evidence in the coming years, so that a stronger scientific base for further planning can be developed.
WHO,2005, 308 pages
ISBN 92 4 156294 3
US$ 45.00, Email: publications@who.int
Web site: http://www.who.int/bookorders
Promoting Mental Health: Concepts, Emerging Evidence, Practice
This international book aims to bring to life the mental health dimension of health promotion. It describes the concepts relating to promotion of mental health, the emerging evidence for the effectiveness of interventions, and the public health policy and practice implications.
The evidence provided for the health and nonhealth interventions for mental health benefits is likely to be useful to health policy planners and public health professionals. The emphasis, however, is on the urgent need for a more systematic generation of evidence in the coming years, so that a stronger scientific base for further planning can be developed.
WHO,2005, 308 pages
ISBN 92 4 156294 3
US$ 45.00, Email: publications@who.int
Web site: http://www.who.int/bookorders
07 October 2005
Advance Notice of Request for Tender (RFT) – Suicide Prevention
Auseinet wishes to engage a suitably qualified consultant or team of consultants to undertake a project which involves synthesising and reporting on the outcomes from the 160 local suicide prevention initiatives which were funded under the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS).
Tender documents – which provide details on the project, the tender requirements and selection criteria – will be available online at www.auseinet.com from Saturday 8 October 2005 and the RFT will be advertised in the Weekend Australian on that date.
Tenders must be lodged by 5pm (CST) on Monday, 24 October 2005.
The project is to be completed by April 2006.
Any enquiries can be directed to Ms Jill Knappstein, Auseinet via email jill.knappstein@flinders.edu.au or telephone 08 8201 7670.
Auseinet wishes to engage a suitably qualified consultant or team of consultants to undertake a project which involves synthesising and reporting on the outcomes from the 160 local suicide prevention initiatives which were funded under the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS).
Tender documents – which provide details on the project, the tender requirements and selection criteria – will be available online at www.auseinet.com from Saturday 8 October 2005 and the RFT will be advertised in the Weekend Australian on that date.
Tenders must be lodged by 5pm (CST) on Monday, 24 October 2005.
The project is to be completed by April 2006.
Any enquiries can be directed to Ms Jill Knappstein, Auseinet via email jill.knappstein@flinders.edu.au or telephone 08 8201 7670.