Abstract:The incidence of suicides and attempted suicides is one indicator of mental health and life satisfaction within the population. The trends in suicidal behaviour vary with sex and ethnicity within the population, and underscore the impact of culture on people's lives and wellbeing. Although incidence of suicide provides important information, there has been no systematic reporting of data within the country. The only source of national data is the statistics unit of Fiji's police force, who record all deaths th… Show more
“…The idea of school education working in tandem with community education seemed to be related to a recent anti‐suicide campaign that had been implemented within Fiji schools (youth suicide is a significant issue in Fiji and other Pacific island countries [Forster et al, ]). Many participants suggested the anti‐suicide campaign had successfully raised awareness about a topic that had not previously been discussed at home, arguing that a similar campaign on climate change could also raise awareness and allow youth to participate in effective discussions in the same way.Someone from the outside to come to raise awareness, to educate, like anti‐suicide (FG1P1).Like what they did with the anti‐suicide awareness in school (FG2P3).We could have something like that (campaign like anti‐suicide) (FG3, collective).In schools, they can have a specified day, like anti‐suicide day, they can have climate change prevention day where they discuss about the consequences (FG4P3).…”
Section: Intervening and Solutions To Climate Changementioning
confidence: 99%
“…The idea of school education working in tandem with community education seemed to be related to a recent anti-suicide campaign that had been implemented within Fiji schools (youth suicide is a significant issue in Fiji and other Pacific island countries [Forster et al, 2007]). Many participants suggested the antisuicide campaign had successfully raised awareness about a topic that had not previously been discussed at home, arguing that a similar campaign on climate change could also raise awareness and allow youth to participate in effective discussions in the same way.…”
Section: Intervening and Solutions To Climate Changementioning
Pacific Island countries are particularly vulnerable to future manifestations of climate change due to high coastline‐to‐land‐area ratios, and high dependence of inhabitants on natural ecosystems. While everyone in the Pacific Islands should participate in climate change adaptation activities, it is the young people, given they are the generation likely to not only bear the burden of climate change, but to lead and live effective climate change adaptation activities and strategies specific to their region, the involvement of youth is critical. Pacific Island youths are often marginalised within traditional decision‐making hierarchies, therefore they are typically excluded from participating in meaningful discussions at community and government levels. Discussions were held with 30 adolescents aged 14–18 years in Fiji to explore knowledge and experiences regarding climate change. Participants revealed their dismay at their inability to talk to family – who they consider are not doing enough – about what they consider as appropriate responses to climate change, recommending the help of an authoritative outsider who could speak to their community leaders and family. Discussions also revealed that Fijian youth could not distinguish between changes in the climate and normal weather events, attesting to the importance of climate‐change education and awareness‐raising efforts within the Pacific Islands more generally.
“…The idea of school education working in tandem with community education seemed to be related to a recent anti‐suicide campaign that had been implemented within Fiji schools (youth suicide is a significant issue in Fiji and other Pacific island countries [Forster et al, ]). Many participants suggested the anti‐suicide campaign had successfully raised awareness about a topic that had not previously been discussed at home, arguing that a similar campaign on climate change could also raise awareness and allow youth to participate in effective discussions in the same way.Someone from the outside to come to raise awareness, to educate, like anti‐suicide (FG1P1).Like what they did with the anti‐suicide awareness in school (FG2P3).We could have something like that (campaign like anti‐suicide) (FG3, collective).In schools, they can have a specified day, like anti‐suicide day, they can have climate change prevention day where they discuss about the consequences (FG4P3).…”
Section: Intervening and Solutions To Climate Changementioning
confidence: 99%
“…The idea of school education working in tandem with community education seemed to be related to a recent anti-suicide campaign that had been implemented within Fiji schools (youth suicide is a significant issue in Fiji and other Pacific island countries [Forster et al, 2007]). Many participants suggested the antisuicide campaign had successfully raised awareness about a topic that had not previously been discussed at home, arguing that a similar campaign on climate change could also raise awareness and allow youth to participate in effective discussions in the same way.…”
Section: Intervening and Solutions To Climate Changementioning
Pacific Island countries are particularly vulnerable to future manifestations of climate change due to high coastline‐to‐land‐area ratios, and high dependence of inhabitants on natural ecosystems. While everyone in the Pacific Islands should participate in climate change adaptation activities, it is the young people, given they are the generation likely to not only bear the burden of climate change, but to lead and live effective climate change adaptation activities and strategies specific to their region, the involvement of youth is critical. Pacific Island youths are often marginalised within traditional decision‐making hierarchies, therefore they are typically excluded from participating in meaningful discussions at community and government levels. Discussions were held with 30 adolescents aged 14–18 years in Fiji to explore knowledge and experiences regarding climate change. Participants revealed their dismay at their inability to talk to family – who they consider are not doing enough – about what they consider as appropriate responses to climate change, recommending the help of an authoritative outsider who could speak to their community leaders and family. Discussions also revealed that Fijian youth could not distinguish between changes in the climate and normal weather events, attesting to the importance of climate‐change education and awareness‐raising efforts within the Pacific Islands more generally.
“…Suicides in India are among the highest in the world (Patel et al, 2012). For as yet confirmed common factors, high suicide rates have also been found in Indian populations living or working in some countries like the United States (Shore, 1972), Fiji (Forster et al, 2007), the United Arab Emirates (Al-Maskari et al, 2011;Dervic et al, 2012), and Guyana (Shako, 2020). For example, in Dubai, 73.8% of suicides among the expatriate population from 2003 to 2009 were Indian (Dervic et al, 2012).…”
Suicide is a public health issue that impacts a nation’s resident and non-resident populations alike. Singapore has one of the largest non-resident (work permit holder) populations in the world, yet very little attention has been given to examining suicide in this population. The current study examined the case materials of all 303 non-resident completed suicides in Singapore in the period January 2011 to December 2014. Their basic profiles were compared with that of the 1,507 resident cases in the same period. A sample of 30 death notes written by non-residents were randomly selected and thematically analyzed to supplement the descriptive findings and discussion. Results showed that suicides were highest among males, those aged 21–35 years old, and South Asians. Most non-resident suicide cases did not have known physical or mental health issues, prior suicide attempts, or suicide notes. Suicide decedents from South Asia and Europe most frequently used hanging, while jumping was most common among decedents from other regions. Relationship and health problems emerged as the top two suspected triggers for suicide based on our analysis of the suicide notes. The unique situation of working abroad may increase non-residents’ vulnerability in general, while adverse life events such as relationship and health issues may be too overwhelming to bear, especially when support services are not readily available and accessible. The results have implications for suicide prevention among this neglected group of people who choose to work in foreign lands.
“…8 Youth suicide rates in Fiji are in fact considered one of the highest in the Pacific region, with Fijian Indians being the most vulnerable. 9 The contributing factors are social change, intergenerational conflicts, marital problems, educational pressures and substance abuse, 10 which were also reflective of the common psycho-social themes captured at these camps.…”
The accessibility of mental health support services is a challenge in Fiji. Medical service camps can form an important pathway in promoting mental health awareness, especially amongst the rural communities of Fiji, and a useful platform for medical students to acquire some clinical exposure.
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