Community, cultural connectedness and suicide rates in First Nations young people

What’s the issue?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are disproportionally impacted by suicide with rates consistently higher that non-Indigenous young people.

Connection to culture and community is an important aspect of social and emotional wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Disconnect from culture and community as a result of colonisation is recognised as a factor influencing suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Both researchers and Elders acknowledge the role of the community-level strengths and protective factors that foster the wellbeing of children and adolescents and support prevention of mental health concerns and suicide.

Research investigating the protective effects that community and cultural connections play in the prevention of suicide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is important to inform effective prevention approaches.

What was done?

Researchers examined associations between community level cultural connection and suicide rates among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Researchers used the Queensland Suicide Register to gain data on young people aged 10–19 years who died by suicide during 1 January 2001 – 31 December 2015.

This data was further categorised and analysed by Indigenous status, age, area level remoteness and socioeconomic features of the area including education, occupation, disabilities, overcrowding and income resources.

In addition, data from the 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey was also used to examine demographic, social, cultural and environmental indicators, including language, cultural activities, social networks, supports, health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This data was to inform and assess culturally-specific aspects of social and cultural connection, including involvement in cultural events, ceremonies, or organisations, social and community activities and contact with family and friends.

What was found?

• There were 127 suicide deaths of First Nations people aged 10‒19 years in Queensland during 2001‒2015 (age-specific rate, 21.1 deaths per 100 000 persons/year) and 404 of non-Indigenous young people (5.0 deaths per 100 000 persons/year).
• The age-specific suicide rate for young First Nations people was higher in regional and remote areas than in metropolitan areas, but was not significantly higher in communities with low socio-economic resource levels.
• The suicide rate for young First Nations people was similar in communities with low and high levels of Indigenous language use.
• The suicide rate was 80% higher in areas classified as having lower levels of cultural and social connection.
• The suicide rate was 44% lower in areas classified as having high levels of cultural and social connection where people reported participation in cultural events, ceremonies, organisations, and community activities, and were more involved with their community.
• The suicide rate was higher in communities with higher levels of reported discrimination.
• Contrary to international study findings for other First Peoples, language use did not influence suicide rates.¹
• Community socio-economic resource levels were not significantly associated with suicide rates for First Nations young people, despite the recognised relationship between poverty and suicide rates in general.

Why are the findings important?

These findings suggest that suicide by young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is influenced by factors that are often not included in traditional suicide prevention models targeted for young people. Even when exposed to low socio-economic resources and disadvantage, connection to culture can protect against suicide. Suicide prevention approaches for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connections to culture and community and encourage young people to seek support are recommended.