Mind the gap on indigenous health

Indigenous people must take the lead in addressing youth suicide and develop appropriate and culturally sensitive prevention and intervention programs, in order to adequately target the underlying issues involved in poor SEWB.

But all Australians should feel empowered to support and unite with others in addressing poor SEWB in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. By working together and rallying more support, we can all help to significantly reduce SEWB issues, like suicide, and finally close the gap.Mind the Gap on Indigenous Health

By Billi McCarthy-Price

There remains a 10-year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia.

Around 12 per cent of this difference has been attributed to mental health conditions, with four per cent to suicide and six per cent to alcohol and substance abuse.

Australians must start paying attention. What's more, they must be made more aware of the phenomenally high rates of Indigenous youth suicide that contribute to this gap.

Male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth aged 15-19 are more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than non-Indigenous males. Meanwhile, female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth are almost six times more likely to attempt suicide than non-Indigenous females.

To put this in real terms, between 2000 and 2010 there were 106 young Indigenous men and 43 young Indigenous women who committed suicide.

That's 149 kids.

That's 149 grieving families, 149 devastated communities, 149 classrooms with an empty desk, 149 sports teams missing a player, and 149 bright futures with endless possibilities extinguished forever.

A combination of individual, community, and societal factors contribute to the risk of suicide. Risk factors are characteristics associated with suicide. They may or may not be direct causes.

These include personal, family or community history of suicide, history of poor mental health including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. They can also include a history of alcohol and substance abuse, isolation, loss, grief, and discrimination.