@article{ref1,
title="Factors associated with thoughts of self-harm or suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people presenting to urban primary care: an analysis of de-identified clinical data",
journal="International journal of environmental research and public health",
year="2022",
author="Pandeya, Neha A. and Schluter, Philip J. and Spurling, Geoffrey K. and Tyson, Claudette and Hayman, Noel E. and Askew, Deborah A.",
volume="19",
number="1",
pages="e153-e153",
abstract="Suicide amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a major cause of premature mortality and a significant contributor to the health and life expectancy gap. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of thoughts of self-harm or suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people attending an urban primary health care service and identify factors associated with these thoughts. Multilevel mixed-effects modified Poisson regression models were employed to analyse three years of data gathered during the annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments. At their first health assessment, 11.5% (191/1664) of people reported thoughts of suicide or self-harm in the prior two weeks. Having children, participating in sport or community activities or being employed full-time decreased the risk of such thoughts. Conversely, factors relating to social exclusion including homelessness, drug use, unemployment and job insecurity increased the risk of thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Individual clinicians, health services, and policy-makers all have a role in suicide prevention. Clinicians need appropriate training to be able to respond to people expressing these thoughts. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations need sovereignty and self-determination over resources to provide programs that promote cultural connectivity and address social exclusion, thereby saving lives.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1661-7827",
doi="10.3390/ijerph19010153",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010153"
}