Overview

The suicide prevention research program comprises a number of discrete projects that together seek to examine the efficacy, safety and acceptability of interventions specifically designed for at-risk young people. It also has a strong focus on informing and evaluating national, and state-based, suicide prevention policy.

Why is this research area important?

Around one quarter of deaths by people between the ages of 15 and 25 are attributed to suicide. Suicide-related behaviours are more common with lifetime rates of 17% and 30% for suicide attempts and suicidal ideation respectively.

Whilst much is known about the epidemiology of suicide-related behaviour, less is known about the efficacy of interventions designed to reduce risk. This has lead to a gap in knowledge that needs to be addressed in order to inform the development of evidence-based policy and clinical practice. This program seeks to address this gap.

Key questions

- What types of interventions (including new media-based interventions) are effective at reducing suicide risk among young people?
- Is it safe and acceptable to engage at-risk young people via the internet and social media?

Collaborating partners

The University of Melbourne, headspace School Support, the Lifeline Foundation, String Theory Health, Community Works, The WHO Western Pacific Regional Office and the Young and Well CRC.