Australian research

  • Title:

    The Cultural Context of Youth Suicide in Australia: Unemployment, Identity and Gender

  • Abstract/Synopsis:

    This article considers the impact, in terms of life and death choices, of the economic exclusion of young people in Australia, where suicide is the leading cause of death by injury. In the two decades from 1980 there was a dramatic increase in suicide rates for young males. Research demonstrates a correlation between youth suicide and unemployment but the complex relationship between the two has not been fully investigated. This article explores the perceptions of young people, parents and service providers of the cultural context of suicide and how it comes to be constructed as an option for young people experiencing economic marginalisation.
  • Author:

    Gilchrist, H, Howarth, G, and Sullivan, G

  • Publisher:

    Social Policy and Society

  • Year Published:

    2007

  • Format:

    Journal Article

  • Size:

    13 pages

  • Price:

    Payment required

  • Online at:

  • Categories:

    • Australian research and statistics
    • Risk and protective factors
    • Youth
  • Keywords:

    Australian, risk factors, suicide

  • Review:

LIFE News

LIFE News issue 8, which focuses on bereavement and suicide prevention, is now available online.

LIFE News is the online newsletter of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in Australia. Published bi-monthly, LIFE News features comment, project updates, national and international research, and much more.

Previous editions of LIFE News can be located in the LIFE News archive.

Download The Framework

Download