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Youth mental health promotion : including suicide prevention : the public health issues 1995-1996 Public Health Group, Ministry of Health - Wellington Ministry of Health 1996 - vi, 59 p.

This paper examines public health aspects of mental health and suicide prevention and intervention, and makes recommendations for policy, research and programmes with the aim of reducing New Zealand's youth suicide rates. Suicide rates are examined by age, ethnicity and gender. Child sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect are identified as significant suicide risk factors. Research findings suggest that the risk of suicide is highest amongst adolescents from dysfunctional families characterised by factors such as poor relationships, sexual abuse and parental mental illness. Therefore, this paper posits that programmes aimed at reducing youth suicide rates also need to address child abuse and violence in the home. The benefits of family support and early intervention children's programmes are discussed, and recommendations are made for an interagency coordinated approach to meet the needs of at-risk families to contribute to reducing suicide behaviour. This report examines the role of schools in identifying children at risk, and emphasises the need for government agencies to respond more quickly to reports of suspected child abuse.

ISBN: 0487094620

Subjects--Topical Terms:
CHILD ABUSE
ADOLESCENTS
HEALTH POLICY
MENTAL HEALTH
NEGLECT
STATISTICS
SUICIDE PREVENTION
YOUTH SUICIDE
YOUNG PEOPLE
SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Subjects--Geographic Terms:
NEW ZEALAND

Dewey Class. No.: 362.20425 YOU