Research Priorities in Suicide Prevention in Australia

Abstract

This project sought to inform priority setting in Australian suicide prevention research, by empirically examining existing priorities and by seeking stakeholders' views on where future priorities might lie. Existing priorities were examined via reviews of Australian literature published and grants funded during the life of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (1999-2006). Stakeholders' views of future priorities were elicited via a questionnaire administered to 11 groups comprising 231 individuals with an interest in suicide prevention. The study identified 263 journal articles and 36 grants. The journal articles most commonly reported on studies of descriptive epidemiology, while the grants tended to fund intervention studies. Both gave roughly equal weight to completed and attempted suicide, and gave little emphasis to studies of suicide methods. Young people were the most frequently-researched target group, with people with mental health problems and people who had attempted suicide or deliberately self-harmed also receiving attention. Stakeholders indicated that emphasis should be given to intervention studies, and that completed suicide and attempted suicide are both important. In terms of suicide method, they felt the focus should be on poisoning by drugs and hanging. They had mixed views about the target groups that should be afforded priority, although young people and people with mental health problems were frequently ranked highly. This paper presents a picture of the current focus with regard to suicide prevention research, identifying some areas where there are clear gaps and others where relatively greater efforts have been made. By combining this information with stakeholders' views of where future priorities should lie, the paper provides some guidance as to the shape a future suicide prevention research agenda for Australia should take. A strategic approach to suicide prevention research will help fill internationally-identified gaps in knowledge about what works and what doesn't work in suicide prevention.

Can receipt of a regular postcard reduce suicide‐related behaviour in young help seekers? A randomized controlled trial

“…Suicide‐related behaviours, including suicide attempt (SA), suicidal ideation (SI) and deliberate self‐harm (DSH) where suicidal intent is not specified, are common in young people 1–4 . However, there is little evidence regarding interventions to reduce these behaviours 5 . In particular, there are few randomized controlled trials 6 and studies in youth 7 .…”

“…[1][2][3][4] However, there is little evidence regarding interventions to reduce these behaviours. 5 In particular, there are few randomized controlled trials 6 and studies in youth. 7 Yet it is important to explore the extent to which brief, low-cost interventions can reduce these behaviours.…”

Setting up suicide prevention plans at the local level: the methodology of focus groups with stakeholders

“…We need to keep in mind that the stakeholders bring their beliefs and attitudes, which have developed in the context of their daily practice (Robinson et al, 2008). These points of view cannot always be easily integrated into a project.…”

The development of a randomised controlled trial testing the effects of an online intervention among school students at risk of suicide

“…These behaviours are one of the greatest concerns for Australian young people [2] and are associated with a range of negative outcomes including completed suicide and premature mortality via other causes [3,4]. The prevention of suicide, and the development of a strategic research agenda targeting interventions for suicidal youth have both been cited as national priorities [5,6], yet there remains a lack of high quality intervention research for suicidal individuals [7], including youth [8]. …”

“…Good evidence exists regarding the treatment of youth depression [15], but there is limited knowledge regarding effective interventions for suicide-related behaviour [7,8]. Of the psychological approaches that have been tested Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) appears to be the most promising in terms of its ability to reduce suicidal ideation among adolescents and young adults, however further research is required [8].…”