The risk of dying changes over the course of a lifetime. Very high at birth, it falls and then gradually rises again… except for a peak after adolescence. Why such a statistical anomaly?
Nearly 1 in 5 young people worldwide intentionally injure themselves every year.
xijian/E! via Getty Images
New research shows that many young people report a sense of temporary relief following episodes of self-harm. But there are clear ways to help teens replace injurious behaviors with healthy ones.
The link between antidepressant use and increases in suicidal thoughts or behaviors among treated youth is unproven.
FatCamera/E+ via Getty Images
Nearly all suicide-loss survivors experience guilt, wondering what they could have done to prevent it. But despite decades of research, experts struggle to identify risk factors and predict suicide.
Gov. Andy Beshear is in favor of making Kentucky the 21st state to ban conversion therapy.
AP Photo/Bryan Woolston
Kentucky lawmakers are trying to make the state the 21st to enact a ban on conversion therapy. In states that are ‘silent’ on the issue, nonprofessionals are allowed to continue the harmful practice.
Don’t wait for teens to come to you. Engage them in conversation.
(Shutterstock)
Student mental health was already an issue before the pandemic. And then students felt the strain on all fronts as studies went online and they lost jobs and social contacts.
When a student dies by suicide, university communities grapple with the fact that an opportunity for a suffering person to receive help was missed.
(Pexels)
As universities advocate for ‘zero suicide’ frameworks, it is important for university leaders to work at suicide awareness, prevention and response, and to reinforce a culture of compassion.
The UN said it was ‘seriously concerned’ about the rise in mental health problems among children in Australia, including those from refugee and asylum-seeking families.
Erik Anderson/AAP
In a recent report, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child was highly critical of the Australian government for its youth justice failures and the rise of children with mental health issues.
It’s impossible to conduct truly causal research on media consumption and suicide.
Stephen Mcsweeny/Shutterstock.com
Over the past decade, more teens have attempted suicide. The trend has vexed researchers, but it’s that much more difficult to determine whether a fictional TV show has had any role.
Christine Morgan points to the value of the brand of Headspace for young people; they know “this is a place I can go”.
Shutterstock
PM’s advisor Christine Morgan on tackling Australia’s rising suicide rates.
The Conversation, CC BY34.5 MB(download)
On this episode, the PM's national suicide prevention advisor speaks with Michelle Grattan on what we know so far about suicide rates, and what needs more clarity.
Emma Gonzalez, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shootings in Parkland, Fla., speaking at a demonstration in Washington, D.C. on March 24, 2018.
Andrew Harnik/AP Photo
Teen survivors of school shootings face unique complications and challenges. In the wake of two suicides by teen survivors of the shootings in Parkland, Fla, a child psychiatrist exlpains.
Naturalistic dialogue, poetic monologues, projections and physical theatre come together in Man With The Iron Neck.
Brett Boardman
Legs On The Wall’s production deals with the important but taboo topic of youth suicide, particularly in the Indigenous community.
It is estimated that 1.2 million children in Canada live in low income households and 10 per cent of families with children under the age of six report some degree of food insecurity. This places kids at increased risk of developmental vulnerability.
(Shutterstock)
Childhood depression, the deadliest illness facing children, often goes untreated. Sometimes, this is because parents do not want their children to be treated. Should this be considered child abuse?
Parents should watch 13 Reasons Why with their kids, and talk about it afterwards.
Netflix
Season two of the controversial show tackles similar issues, and while Netflix appear to have taken heed of some concerns of mental health advocates some issues remain confronting and challenging
Using this many devices at once doesn’t mean a person is addicted to technology.
Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com
Though the World Health Organization has declared “gaming disorder” an addiction, its – and others’ – concerns about technology use and alleged addiction don’t hold up to scholarly scrutiny.
Many health professionals don’t know how to support transgender young people when they seek help.
from www.shutterstock.com.au
We all have a responsibility to improve the well-being of Australian young people, and the current rates of poor mental health in our trans young people aren’t good enough.
Child suicide, such as the 2013 death of 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick, has often been blamed on bullying.
AP Photo/Brian Blanco
From ‘13 Reasons Why’ to real-life events, there’s been increased scrutiny on the link between bullying and suicide. However, research shows that we may not be getting the full picture.