Video Information


Below: a November, 2013 segment from ABC's 7.30, looking into the events surrounding a "cluster" of suicides in the Geelong area, where an inquest into the deaths tried to find answers to the problem of youth depression and why young people take their own lives.




Below: in September, 2012, the ABC's investigative reporting program Four Corners looked into a worrying trend in Melbourne's south-eastern "growth corridor", including Dandenong.




Below: A July, 2012 segment from the Al Jazeera news service on the youth suicide problem in indigenous communities and in Aboriginal youth generally.




Below: In June 2013, the Mayo Clinic, an American medical and psychological treatment and research centre, released a video on the common signs of an intention to suicide, along with suggested ways to talk to someone exhibiting these signs.




Below: In March, 2013, the mental health, anti-depression organisation Beyondblue created a series of videos, including this one, which outlines what a psychologist does when treating someone with depression and / or suicidal tendencies.






Web links, documents


On November 21, 2013, the ABC's 7.30 Report ran a segment titled 'Inquest highlights fight against teen suicide's devastation'. The report looks in detail at the circumstances surrounding and responses to the suicides of three high school students in Geelong.
A full transcript can be accessed at http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3896526.htm

On November 10, 2013, The Age published an analysis titled 'Debate surrounds the headspace model of mental health services'. The article looks at the arguments for and against the early intervention model for dealing with adolescent mental health issues and also at the debate surrounding the mode of delivery.
It can be accessed at http://www.theage.com.au/national/debate-surrounds-the-headspace-model-of-mental-health-services-20131109-2x8lf.html

On October 27, 2013, The Age published an opinion piece by Chris Tanti titled 'Early intervention key to getting a grip on mental health woes'. Chris Tanti is the chief executive officer of Headspace (Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation) and in this piece outlines the success of this means of addressing mental health issues among the young.
The full text of this comment can be accessed at http://www.theage.com.au/comment/early-intervention-key-to-getting-a-grip-on-mental-health-woes-20131026-2w8kf.html

On September 26, 2013, Radio National's PM aired a broadcast titled 'Mental health experts lobby for new suicide prevention targets'
The report details the request of the Expert Reference Group on Mental Health Reform that the Coalition government establish new targets in areas such as suicide reduction. The full text of this report can be accessed at http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2013/s3857201.htm

On September 3, 2013, ABC News ran a report titled 'Coroner told teen suicide victim Michaela Mundy had waited more than a year to see a psychiatrist'.
The full report can be accessed at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-03/coroner-told-teen-suicide-victim-waited-more-than-a-year-to-see/4931888

On September 2, 2013, The Conversation published a comment by Ian Hickie, Professor of Psychiatry at University of Sydney, titled 'Mental health is largely missing from the election campaign'. The comment is critical of the policies announced from both the major political policies.
The full text of this comment can be accessed at https://theconversation.com/mental-health-is-largely-missing-from-the-election-campaign-17684

On March 13, 2013, The Conversation published a comment by Samantha McPhredran, Senior Research Fellow, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention at Griffith University, titled 'Reducing access to the means of suicide'. The comment considers the circumstances under which reducing access to means of committing suicide is likely to be effective.
The full text of this comment can be found at https://theconversation.com/reducing-access-to-the-means-of-suicide-11748

The Labor government's mental health policy statement issued in January 2013 and titled 'Mental health: taking action to tackle suicide' can be accessed at http://www.mhfa.com.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Taking-Action-to-Tackle-Suicide-ALP-2010.pdf

On September 14, 2012, The Conversation published a comment by Kairi Kolves, Senior Research Fellow, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention at Griffith University, titled 'The facts about safe reporting of suicide'. The comment discusses a range of views on the manner in which the media should report on suicide.
The full text of this comment can be accessed at https://theconversation.com/the-facts-about-safe-reporting-of-suicide-9501

Headspace (Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation) aims to help young people aged 12-25 who are going through a tough time, providing support for problems like depression, anxiety, bullying and body image.
It has centres across Australia and an online chat, telephone and email services. The organisation's homepage can be accessed at http://www.headspace.org.au/

The Royal Children's Hospital has on Internet information page on youth suicide and its prevention. This site can be accessed at http://www.rch.org.au/cah/research/Youth_Suicide_in_Australia/#prevention

The Australian Press Councils guidelines covering the reporting and discussion of suicide can be accessed at http://www.presscouncil.org.au/document-search/standard-suicide-reporting/

On August 2, 2011, The Australian ran a report on the Australian Press Council's revised guidelines for the reporting of suicide.
This report can be accessed at http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/journalists-guidelines-on-suicide-to-shed-light-on-reporting-taboo/story-e6frg996-1226106256366

In 2005 the Australian government has issued a fact sheet supplying information on suicide in Australia. This information can be accessed at http://www.responseability.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/4800/Some-Myths-and-Misconceptions-about-Suicide.pdf

In 2003 child psychologist Dr Michael Carr Gregg wrote a paper arguing that certain forms of direct education about suicide offered within schools could be dangerous.
The full text of this paper can be accessed at http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/inpsych/suicide_industry/