Before it’s too late: Report on early intervention programs aimed at preventing youth suicide

The Queensland Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian has welcomed findings from the report on youth suicide by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing.

Before it’s too late: Report on early intervention programs aimed at preventing youth suicide focused on suicide among 15 to 24 year olds.

The evidence in the report reflected research findings by the Commission over the past seven years. These findings include a higher incidence of suicide among young males with almost one quarter of all deaths in young men under 25. Further findings highlighted a higher rate of suicide in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and in remote and rural communities.

The report also referred to many youth suicide risk factors identified by the Commission such as cyber-bullying, social and geographical isolation, difficulties during periods of transition and mental health issues.

The report found the need for greater support for early intervention measures to reduce the rates of youth suicide and made 10 recommendations. Several of these recommendations align with the Commission’s current work priorities in this area including:

• extending collection of demographic data to such issues as ethnicity, culture, geography, employment status and socio-economic status
• interagency collaboration to develop a priority research agenda for youth suicide, with a view to jointly supporting a coordinated and targeted program of research, and
• stakeholders undertaking appropriate consultation with young people to further suicide prevention initiatives.

The report also recommends the establishment of an on-line suicide prevention program evaluation clearinghouse which the Commission supports and would be interested to participate.

The Committee also made several recommendations for better collaborative activities amongst stakeholders. The Commission supports this and has identified potential for its Child Death Register to be promoted as a resource in future research activities nationally.

For further information, you can view the report here.

Last Updated: November 25, 2011

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