Student/Media Assignments

To whom it may concern,

My name is Erin and I am currently studying a Bachelor of Journalism at Griffith University. My email address erin pratt < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
As part of an assignment, we are required to write an investigation about a topic of our choice. I decided to write about Child suicide in Australia basing my research around this project I found:

The present study offers an opportunity to evaluate the trends and possibilities of this potential underestimation of suicides among Australian children and determine pathway to suicide with a specific focus on identifying predictive factors.

This information is crucial to the future development of effective evidence based prevention and intervention strategies for children. The outcomes of the project will lead to improved recognition and assessment of suicidal risk among children. The suicide process can and often does begin in early childhood and it is logical to assume that prevention and intervention strategies that are directly targeted to children may be a valuable tool in the prevention of suicide in later life.

I was wondering if you or the appropriate person could answer a few questions that I could use for the piece. The questions are listed below. Please be as lengthy in answering as you like as the more information the better J Also if you have any other information or comments to include on child suicide that would be greatly appreciated :)

Q: How many children commit suicide in Australia each year?

Q: Studies show that suicide vastly increases after the age of 12, why is this the case?

Q: What is the difference between the rate of children who commit suicide from ages 5-12 in Australia compared to rate of children who commit suicide at 12-15 years of age?

Q: Why is child suicide more common among males?

Q: Studies have shown that hanging is the most common form of suicide among children, why do you think that is?

Q: What is the rate of males to females who commit suicide in Australia?

Q: What are the main methods children aged below 15 in Australia use to commit suicide each year?

Q: What are the main reasons children aged 15 and below commit suicide in Australia each year?

Q: What are the main demographic reasons children aged 15 and below commit suicide in Australia each year?

Q: Why do Australian children choose suicide as an option rather than seeking help?

Q: At what age to Australian children understand the concept of death?

Q: What types of intervention strategies should there be to lower the rate of child suicide?

Q: What types of prevention strategies should there be to lower the rate of child suicide?

Q: What types of help are available to children at the moment? How can they be improved?

Q: How much do you think child suicide rates would lower if there were effective prevention and intervention strategies?

Q: Should there be more help available for teachers and parents, so they adequately know how to help somebody suffering from a mental health issue so it doesn’t lead to suicide in the future?

Q: What predicitive behaviours do Australian children show that could indicate that they will have problems with suicide?

Q: Does the large access to technology play a part in children being suicidal, as the bullying follows the youth into their homes through their mobiles and internet and could lead towards depression or having suicidal thoughts?


 How do stories make a difference?

Hi, my name is Monique. I am a student researcher from the University of Calgary, in Canada.

I am examining how sharing personal stories makes a difference in the ways mental illness is talked about and understood in
society.

My study is focused on the types of stories that appear on websites for consumers, survivors, and ex-patients. I have permission from the White
Wreath office to include the main pages of this site in my study between now and January 31, 2012.

Stories from this site will be referred to anonymously in my research. The member sign-in areas are not included in the research.

This research project has been approved by the University of Calgary, Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board.

You may contact the Ethics Resource Officer if you have concerns or comments, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I can be contacted via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you.

 


 

To whom it may concern,

My name is Sarah Wykes and I am currently studying a Bachelor of Journalism at Griffith University.

As part of an assignment, we are required to write an investigation about a topic of our choice. I decided to write about Queensland's high rate of youth suicide after reading articles about the topic and having completed research about mental health in the past.

I was wondering if you or the appropriate person could answer a few questions that I could use for the piece. The questions are listed below.

  • Do you think the amount of rural area in Queensland is a factor, as people in these areas are unable or less equipped to access services to help depression/mental health issues?
  • One out of four youth receive professional help for their mental health problems. Is the problem issues such as not knowing where to get help from, the expense of seeking help and thinking you  can handle it on your own?
  • Does the large access to technology play a part, as the bullying follows the youth into their homes through their mobiles and internet and could lead towards depression or having suicidal thoughts.
  • Should there be more help available for teachers and parents, so they adequately know how to help somebody suffering from a mental health issue?
  • Is reporting of mental health an issue, as between 2004 – 2007 42% of suicides for youth aged between 10 – 17 was contagion or imitative.
  • What advice can be given to someone with a mental health issue, and the family/friends of someone with a mental health issue?

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

I can be contacted on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 


 

 

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