A study of factors affecting suicide in Aboriginal and ‘other’ populations in the Top End of the Northern Territory through an audit of coronial records

Abstract

There are some important differences in the factors attributed to suicide in the Aboriginal and other populations in the Top End. Furthermore, our study highlights regional differences in suicide risk among different Aboriginal populations in the Top End.

Emerging patterns of cannabis and other substance use in Aboriginal communities in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory: a study of two communities

“…40 g/day (males) or 20 g/day (females) [26]. While the methods used in the study were not adequate to describe hazardous alcohol use, there remains a concern in Arnhem Land that suicide and alcohol consumption are closely associated [27,28]. Added to this concern now is the possibility that cannabis use combined with alcohol use, perhaps in association with co-morbid mental disorders [29], lowers the threshold of suicide risk in those already disinhibited by alcohol use [30], even though average consumption levels appear moderate.…”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide in Context

“…Since the Commission, suicide has continued to increase in the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, with hanging being by far the most common method. Furthermore, no Indigenous settings are unaffected by the processes of social change, and while Indigenous suicide was initially located largely in areas of rapid change and inter-cultural pressures, it now appears to be generalizing and becoming more common in certain remote and ''traditional'' populations (Davidson, 2003), sometimes taking on ''traditional'' meanings (McCoy, 2004;Parker, 1999;Parker & Ben-Tovim, 2002).…”

“…Over the last decades there have been a range of analyses presented of Indigenous suicide in Australia including those foregrounding political context (Tatz, 1999(Tatz, , 2001, psychopathology (Parker, 1999;Parker & Ben-Tovim, 2002), trans-generational trauma (Atkinson, 2002), psychocultural explanations (Reser, 1989(Reser, , 1990, socio-historical factors (Hunter, 1993), public health perspectives (Hunter, Reser, Baird et al, 2001) and many others. While the framework presented previously is certainly more reflective of the complex interplay of factors informing Indigenous suicide than unidimensional causal analyses that assign responsibility to hopelessness, anomie, internalized rage or alcohol, it is still lacking.…”

Counselling Aboriginal peoples: A thematic study of counselling experiences.

“…Substance misuse is a serious problem for Aboriginal people within Canada, the United States, and Australia (Okoro, 2007;Parker & Ben-Tovim, 2002;Schlesinger, Ober, McCarthy, Watson & Seinen, 2007;Stillner, Kraus, Leukefeld & Hardenbergh, 1999;Taylor, 2000;Waldram, 2004). Furthermore, it is argued that Aboriginal peoples are more susceptible to the adverse effects of alcohol, more likely to consume alcohol at a young age, more likely to die from the effects of alcohol, and have higher suicide rates (Okoro, 2007;Parker & Ben-Tovim, 2002;Schlesinger et al, 2007;Stillner et al, 1999).…”

“…Furthermore, it is argued that Aboriginal peoples are more susceptible to the adverse effects of alcohol, more likely to consume alcohol at a young age, more likely to die from the effects of alcohol, and have higher suicide rates (Okoro, 2007;Parker & Ben-Tovim, 2002;Schlesinger et al, 2007;Stillner et al, 1999). Studies have demonstrated that Aboriginal peoples, compared to non-Aboriginal peoples, consume more alcohol overall, engage in more destructive and violent behaviors, and have higher comorbidity rates with other psychiatric disorders (Waldram, 2004).…”