Suicide and political regime in New South Wales and Australia during the 20th century

Page, Andrew; Morrell, Stephen; Taylor, Richard

doi:10.1136/jech.56.10.766

Cited by 52 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Our results are broadly consistent with data from other studies of suicide and climate, notably that of Nicholls et al (2), and the results in males reported by Page et al (5). We found distinct age, sex, regional, and long-term time trends in suicide rates with increased risk associated with spring and a smaller association with above-average maximum temperatures.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

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Suicide and drought in New South Wales, Australia, 1970–2007

Hanigan

Butler

Kokic

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

203

176

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There is concern in Australia that droughts substantially increase the incidence of suicide in rural populations, particularly among male farmers and their families. We investigated this possibility for the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia between 1970 and 2007, analyzing data on suicides with a previously established climatic drought index. Using a generalized additive model that controlled for season, region, and long-term suicide trends, we found an increased relative risk of suicide of 15% (95% confidence interval, 8%–22%) for rural males aged 30–49 y when the drought index rose from the first quartile to the third quartile. In contrast, the risk of suicide for rural females aged >30 y declined with increased values of the drought index. We also observed an increased risk of suicide in spring and early summer. In addition there was a smaller association during unusually warm months at any time of year. The spring suicide increase is well documented in nontropical locations, although its cause is unknown. The possible increased risk of suicide during drought in rural Australia warrants public health focus and concern, as does the annual, predictable increase seen each spring and early summer. Suicide is a complex phenomenon with many interacting social, environmental, and biological causal factors. The relationship between drought and suicide is best understood using a holistic framework. Climate change projections suggest increased frequency and severity of droughts in NSW, accompanied and exacerbated by rising temperatures. Elucidating the relationships between drought and mental health will help facilitate adaptation to climate change.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…That study focused on the association of conservative government and suicide (5). The authors argued that conservative administrations placed greater stress on individualism, diminishing social capital and enhancing the risk of suicide in vulnerable individuals.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide and drought in New South Wales, Australia, 1970–2007

Hanigan

Butler

Kokic

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

203

176

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The majority of studies from Europe used data from countries that have relatively stronger social welfare systems that may mitigate the effects of poverty and associated factors. Our data is consistent with compelling but inconclusive evidence of between-and within-country examinations of the effects of government policies on suicide rates (Bhatia et al 1987;Blakely & Collings, 2002 ;Page et al 2002 ;Shaw et al 2002 ;Stack, 2002).…”

Section: Region Of Datasupporting

confidence: 90%

The association between suicide and the socio-economic characteristics of geographical areas: a systematic review

2005

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“…From 2007-2013, there was socialist national government in Australia, and a stable socialist state government in Queensland throughout [2003][2004][2005][2006][2007][2008][2009][2010][2011][2012]. Evidence exists to suggest that socialist governments may lower suicide rates [53,54].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mates in Construction Suicide Prevention Program: A Five Year Review

Martin¹,

Swannell²

2016

J Community Med Health Educ

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Abstract'Mates in Construction' (MATES) is a large-scale multi-component suicide prevention program for construction workers, initiated in Queensland in February 2008, and now disseminated to three additional Australian states. MATES uses on-site universal psychoeducation to encourage help-seeking and early intervention through 'Connectors' trained in suicide first aid and supported by outreach, case management, a 24-hour telephone response line, and online counseling. This review of the first five years in Queensland demonstrates broad program acceptability by workers, unions and construction companies. However, funding constraints and the size and geography of the State limited the overall reach to 35,761 workers from 476 building sites completing the first step in the program -General Awareness Training. Despite this, we compared suicide rates in Queensland male construction workers for the five years of the program (2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012) with the five years prior (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007), in the context of general male suicide rates for Queensland and Australia for the two time periods.Against a relatively stable male suicide rate for Australia as a whole, the overall male suicide rate (ages 15-64) for Queensland rose during the five years 2008-2012. In contrast, the age-adjusted male suicide rate in the Queensland Construction Industry decreased 7.9% for the years 2008-2012 compared with 2003-2007. Despite small numbers, we attempted statistical analysis using Negative Binomial Regression. The apparent reduction was not statistically significant (95% CI [-0.4, 15.6]), (p=0.386 NS). The decrease for lesser skilled workers (machine operators/ labourers) was 22.5% (95% CI [-6.9, 43.8]), (p=0.121), relative risk 0.80 [CI 0.60, 1.08], again not statistically significant. For skilled trades, the relative risk was 1.04 [CI 0.81, 1.34, NS], a point increase in chance of suicide of 4.1% 33.7, NS]. The complexity of the program and our results are discussed.

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Suicide and political regime in New South Wales and Australia during the 20th century

Cited by 52 publications

References 49 publications

Suicide and drought in New South Wales, Australia, 1970–2007

Suicide and drought in New South Wales, Australia, 1970–2007

The association between suicide and the socio-economic characteristics of geographical areas: a systematic review

Mates in Construction Suicide Prevention Program: A Five Year Review

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