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Suicide and self-harmSuicide and self-harm cause great grief in many Indigenous communities. Suiciderates are higher for Indigenous people than other Australians, and particularly forthose aged 25 to 34.Box 1.12KEY MESSAGES• Suicide death rates were higher for Indigenous people (between 19 and 45 per100 000 population) than non-Indigenous people (between 11 and 16 per 100 000population) in Queensland, WA, SA and the NT for 2001 to 2005 (figure 3.8.1).• In 2004-05, after adjusting for age differences, three in every 1000 Indigenouspeople were hospitalised for non-fatal intentional self-harm, compared with two per1000 non-Indigenous people (table 3.8.1). There were no significant trends between2001-02 and 2004-05 (figure 3.8.4).Indigenous suicide is influenced by a complex set of factors. There are significantdifferences in suicidal behaviour not only between Indigenous and non-Indigenouspopulations, but also between different Indigenous communities. Suicide is oftenimpulsive, and may be preceded by interpersonal conflicts. But suicide frequentlyoccurs in communities that have experienced similar losses in the past, and where‘lifestyles of risk’ are common.Research suggests that Indigenous suicide and self-harm are most common amongyoung men (although suicide attempts seem to be more common for Indigenouswomen). Suicide and self-harm are generally associated with disadvantage such asunemployment and low levels of education. Other factors include interpersonalconflicts and alcohol and substance misuse (although only 15 per cent of Indigenouspeople report consuming alcohol at a risky level). Other factors are incarceration,violence and family breakdown. Anxiety and depression are major contributors,particularly among young Indigenous people.Box 1.13Things that work• The Yarrabah Family Life Promotion program in Queensland, established in 1995,has developed a successful set of strategies for suicide prevention, intervention,aftercare and life promotion (box 3.8.2).OVERVIEW 19