Young peoples' opinions about the causes of, and solutions to, New Zealand's high youth suicide rate Heled, Edna; Read, John
By: Heled, Edna
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Contributor(s): Read, John.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: New York Guilford Press 2005ISSN: 0363-0234.Subject(s): ADOLESCENTS | ATTITUDES | INTERVENTION | MENTAL HEALTH | SELF HARM | STATISTICS | SUBSTANCE ABUSE | SUICIDE | SURVEYS | TREATMENT | YOUTH SUICIDE | NEW ZEALAND | YOUNG PEOPLE | PREVENTION
In:
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior 35(2) April 2005 : 170-180Summary: This article discusses the causes of New Zealand's high youth suicide rate. An open-ended questionnaire was given to 384 young adults (mean age of 20.6 years) seeking their opinions on the causes of, and solutions to, suicide. The most commonly cited cause noted by the respondents was pressure to conform (32%), followed by financial worries (25%), abuse and neglect in childhood or adolescence (14%), problems with alcohol or drugs (10%), and boredom/lack of activities (9%). Mental illness was cited by 1% and depression was seen as a cause by only 5% of the young people. In response to requests for solutions to suicide, young people recommended the following: crisis support services located in schools and youth centres; activities for youth; educational programs to assist in disclosing feelings and strengthening self-esteem; and financial aid. Reducing media coverage of suicides and increasing mental health services were not seen as solutions.
This article discusses the causes of New Zealand's high youth suicide rate. An open-ended questionnaire was given to 384 young adults (mean age of 20.6 years) seeking their opinions on the causes of, and solutions to, suicide. The most commonly cited cause noted by the respondents was pressure to conform (32%), followed by financial worries (25%), abuse and neglect in childhood or adolescence (14%), problems with alcohol or drugs (10%), and boredom/lack of activities (9%). Mental illness was cited by 1% and depression was seen as a cause by only 5% of the young people. In response to requests for solutions to suicide, young people recommended the following: crisis support services located in schools and youth centres; activities for youth; educational programs to assist in disclosing feelings and strengthening self-esteem; and financial aid. Reducing media coverage of suicides and increasing mental health services were not seen as solutions.
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior 35(2) April 2005 : 170-180
