The low risk of suicide among the Yolngu of the Northern Territory: the traditional Aboriginal pattern

Eastwell, Harry D.

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1988.tb133734.x

Cited by 25 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…They reported an ageadjusted rate of 75 per 100,000 for Indigenous males aged 15 to 19 in South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory for 1993 through 1995. While suicide in traditionally oriented Indigenous communities was almost unknown until the late 1980s (Eastwell, 1988;Reser, 1989aReser, , 1991, it is now clear that suicide among young people is becoming a serious problem in the Northern Territory generally, and in regions as remote as Arnhem Land (Robinson, 1990) and the Kimberley (Hunter, 1988a(Hunter, , 1988b(Hunter, , 1991(Hunter, , 1993. Cantor and Slater, in a 1994 report on suicide in Queensland, covering the period between 1990 and 1992, suggested an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide rate of 20.0 per 100,OOO for the Peninsula Region and 25.0 per 100,000 for the Northern region, as compared with a rate of 15.9 for the state as a whole.…”

Section: Indigenous Self-injury and Suicidementioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide: An Australian psychological society discussion paper

Graham

Reser

Scuderi

et al. 2000

Australian Psychologist

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This paper presents a review of literature, research, and practice relating to suicide and intentional self‐injury. It incorporates both an international perspective and a particular focus on Australia. The paper reviews the epidemiological knowledge base, noting its complexity and the ways in which risk factors may vary with the population or subpopulation being studied. While much of the recent focus on suicide has been shaped by the increase in youth suicide, suicide remains a significant problem across all adult age groups. Hence, this paper discusses suicide across the life span, but also identifies youth suicide and Indigenous suicide as two areas of particular concern. In relation to Indigenous suicide, it is important to move from a national focus to examine regional suicide patterns and conditions of risk within particular communities. The paper considers core principles of clinical assessment and intervention, acknowledging the powerful emotions and sensitive, complex judgments involved in this work. Mental health service provision is briefly reviewed and issues of concern identified, ranging from gaps in services to the need for more research and training in referral processes. Conceptualisations of suicide prevention and postvention are outlined, noting considerable debate about preferred approaches and a clear need for careful evaluation.

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Section: Indigenous Self-injury and Suicidementioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide: An Australian psychological society discussion paper

Graham

Reser

Scuderi

et al. 2000

Australian Psychologist

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“…While suicide appears to have been rare among traditional populations and remains so among tradition-oriented groups [48], there has been a clear increase among urban-oriented Aborigines.…”

Section: Suicide and Alcoholmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian Aborigines and alcohol: a review

Kahn

Hunter

Heather

et al. 1991

Drug and Alcohol Review

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Following a summary of the relevant historical and legislative background, this article reviews the literature on: (i) rates of alcohol usage and problem drinking in Aboriginal populations; (ii) adverse effects of drinking; (iii) suggested causes of problem drinking among Aborigines; and (iv) treatment and preventive initiatives. The need to examine Aboriginal alcohol use in the wider context of socio-economic deprivation and rapid social change is emphasized. Key issues warranting further research attention are identified and, while recognizing the difficulties inherent in doing so, suggestions are made as to how the quality of research in the area might be raised. It is concluded that, without long-term planning and commitment of the necessary resources by government, little progress will be made in reducing the problems associated with Aboriginal use of alcohol.

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“…The most dramatic of these emergent issues has been the increase in suicide (Hunter 1988aL brought to national attention in the late 1980s by suicides in custody (Hunter 1988b(Hunter , 1989b. Suicide among tradition oriented populations was, and remains, at least very rare (Eastwell 1988). By mid-1989 this writer was aware of 24 suicides of Aborigines in or from the North-West (mean age 23 yearsL of which two were in custody.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Question of Power: Contemporary Self–Mutilation among Aborigines in the Kimberley

Hunter¹

1990

Aust J Social Issues

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Non‐traditional self‐mutilation among young adult Aborigines in the Kimberley region of Western Australia has emerged in the 1980s in parallel to increases in other forms of intentional personal violence (including suicide, homicide and deaths from accidents). Having noted certain characteristics in common with self‐mutilators encountered in psychiatric practice in the wider society, the author proceeds to a socio‐historical analysis that foregrounds the changing intracultural dynamics of power among post‐referendum Kimberley Aborigines. The intercultural context of these changes and the role of alcohol are examined in terms of their impact on the construction of identity.

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The low risk of suicide among the Yolngu of the Northern Territory: the traditional Aboriginal pattern

Abstract: The recorded causes of all deaths among the Yolngu group of Aborigines for a 30‐year period show only two cases of suicide. This confirms the low incidence that has been noted in other Aboriginal communities where the traditional values remain strong.

Cited by 25 publications

References 2 publications

Suicide: An Australian psychological society discussion paper

Suicide: An Australian psychological society discussion paper

Australian Aborigines and alcohol: a review

A Question of Power: Contemporary Self–Mutilation among Aborigines in the Kimberley

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