Suicide and self-harm - Overview - Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators 2007

Suicide rates are higher for Indigenous people than other Australians, and suicide and self-harm cause great grief in many Indigenous communities.

Indigenous suicide is influenced by a complex set of factors. There are significant differences in suicidal behaviour not only between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, but also between different Indigenous communities. Suicide is often impulsive, and may be preceded by interpersonal conflicts. But suicide frequently occurs in communities that have experienced similar losses in the past, and where ‘lifestyles of risk’ are common.

Research suggests that Indigenous suicide and self-harm are most common among young men (although suicide attempts seem to be more common for Indigenous women). Suicide and selfharm are generally associated with disadvantage such as unemployment and low levels of education. Other factors include interpersonal conflicts and alcohol and substance misuse, (although only 15 per cent of Indigenous people report consuming alcohol at a risky level). Other factors are incarceration, violence and family breakdown. Anxiety and depression are major contributors, particularly among young Indigenous people.

KEY MESSAGES

Suicide death rates were higher for Indigenous people (between 19 and 45 per 100 000 population) than non-Indigenous people (between 11 and 16 per 100 000 population) in Queensland, WA, SA and the NT for 2001 to 2005 (figure 3.8.1).

In 2004-05, after adjusting for age differences, three in every 1000 Indigenous people were hospitalised for non-fatal intentional self-harm, compared with two per 1000 non-Indigenous people (table 3.8.1). There were no significant trends between 2001-02 and 2004-05 (figure 3.8.4).

THINGS THAT WORK

The Yarrabah Family Life Promotion program in Queensland, established in 1995, has developed a successful set of strategies for suicide prevention, intervention, aftercare and life promotion (box 3.8.2).

Report Chapter 3: Headline Indicators
(PDF document)

Attachment 3A
(Excel document)

See next indicator: Substantiated child abuse and neglect.