Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
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Australas Psychiatry · Jan 2007
Dealing with suicidal thoughts in schools: information and education directed at secondary schools.
Current practice in Australia is to avoid discussing suicide or suicidal ideation directly with students in school suicide prevention programs. This paper examines why there is a strong argument to question this approach in the context of a continuing unacceptable rate of youth suicide in this country. ⋯ The ongoing tragedy of Indigenous adolescent suicide in Australia demands that all possible interventions should be considered. Taking a more direct approach to school suicide prevention and life-promoting programs using the brief intervention tool, the 'Toughin' it out' pamphlet, appeared to be associated with a positive impact on suicide in high-risk secondary schools in northern Australia. The positive experience in northern Australia would support a similar approach being considered in school programs nationally.
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The author, a mental health consumer, describes key elements of 'self-directed recovery' central to which was the writing of poetry. Examples of poetry through the recovery journey are presented and provide a means to identify other resources to this end. ⋯ The periodic reflection of poetry as a recovery tool, coupled with the support of family and peers and other recovery realizations such as self talk, can make the recuperation from mental illness less debilitating and something to embrace.