Suicide Rates among Men in Rural Australia - Coursework Example

Suicide Rates within Ballarat and Surrounding Regions (Name) (University Affiliation) Introduction Positioned in Western Victoria, Ballarat has an area of seven hundred and forty square kilometers. Ballarat City, which is surrounded by, Pyrenees, Moorabool, Hepburn and Golden Plains, has an estimated population of 95,007(2011 census). The City lies within some part of the midland plains that stretches from Creswick, which is in the north to the far south. The plains are characterized by rich agricultural soils due to the alluvial sediment and volcanic flows (Zimmerman, 2012). In addition, Ballarat is the largest city in Victoria and is under the traditional guardianship of Wathaurong people. Furthermore, the City is strategically positioned for freight as well as commuter transport routes, which is Victoria’s important economic hub because of tourism. The City is renowned for its deep cultural heritage as well as the decorative arts, which can be seen from the design of houses (Zimmerman, 2012). Suicide Rates Health workers and the authorities have had a big challenge in dealing with suicide issues in Ballarat. In fact, Ballarat is considered as the suicide capital of Australia yet, few individuals will talk about it or rather acknowledge it as one of the biggest challenges facing Ballarat City (Andersen et al, 2010). However, some mental health professionals have tried raising awareness regarding the worrying number of suicide cases, which are reported regularly. Studies show that three hundred and sixty people have committed suicide in the last decade. According to a research paper published by National Party Senator McGauran Julian, seventeen suicides were reported in 2013 in the Grampians (Andersen et al, 2010). Further statistics shows that the ratio of suicide for male to female is 4:1 and the average age of those committing suicide are forty-three. In addition, research shows that sixty percent of those who takeaway their lives often suffer from psychiatric illnesses. Moreover, forty percent of suicides committed were through carbon monoxide self-poisoning while thirty percent was through hanging, asphyxia and overdose (Andersen et al. 2010). Similarly, the remaining thirty percent killed themselves through jumping from tall building and other dangerous stunts such being run over by a car. Demographically, the younger age groups often take their lives by the use of firearms due interpersonal conflicts. For example, a twenty-three year old in Grampian is reported to have committed suicide after having a confrontation with her girlfriend. The mother to the deceased young man alleged that she found a letter written by her son addressing the girlfriend, which read that he had decided to take his life because he could not stand the rejection. In his letter, the young man said that he choose death to rejection since he did not see the purpose of living with those who hated him (Barnes, 2007). Thirty-three percent of the suicides reported were associated with social as well as personal difficulties. Triggering factors that caused suicides took forty percent while twenty-eight percent of those who committed suicide had attempted it before without success. Thirty-two percent of those who took away their lives had shown weird behavior changes, which include verbalizing their intent to harm themselves or even commit suicide (Barnes, 2007). For example, one parent whose daughter was a victim of suicide narrated the way the daughter threatened to kill herself on several occasions without giving any reasons. Statistics from Ballarat Health Services indicate that suicide rates in Ballarat are higher than the average Australian and Victorian rates combined. However, a significant decline in the number of reported suicides was seen from 1992 to 1996 when the issue became rampant again. As stated earlier the average preferred method of suicide is carbon monoxide due to its nature of “smooth and sleeping death. In 2013 alone, five suicides of men in the age bracket of 50 to 54 were reported. Health workers report that suicide cases have a devastating as well as a traumatic effect on the families of the people who take their lives. Suicide leaves parents, children, relatives and even friends depressed (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007). Consequently, the Australian authorities have tried several endowments to contain the problem, but nothing seems to work. Urban and Rural communities in suicide cases and how the rural environment is influencing the causes of Suicides According to Hirsch (2006), suicide cases in the rural areas are higher than in the urban areas. Hirsch asserts that this is due to lack of awareness about the vice. Many of those reported to take-away their lives in the rural areas were males particularly the youth. Accordingly, statistics shows that from 2005 to 2007 the male suicide rates in rural areas were higher. Moreover, the Queensland Suicide Register indicates that male suicides in the rural Ballarat are 1.89 compared to rates in metropolitan areas. Similarly, female suicide rate in the rural Ballarat (34.32 per 100,000) is higher compared to the urban Ballarat (16.25 per 100, 00) (Hirsch, 2006). Research further indicates that economical problems and family issues are the main roots of suicide cases in the rural Ballarat. Additionally, stressors associated to the farming industry in rural Ballarat contribute to the high rates of suicide cases (Zimmerman, 2012). The unpredictable changing climate conditions are often the cause of financial problems to farmers. Proctor (2005) argues that cultural influences in the rural Ballarat also contribute to the high rate of suicidal case. However, the cultural influences are more associated with the indigenous individuals. On the other hand, the problematic use drugs and alcohol and the access to lethal arms such as guns often cause suicides in the urban Ballarat. However, Suicide is a multi-dynamic occurrence and as such, it is driven by many factors, which includes both the economic and individual level aspects (Proctor, 2005)). Ballarat social identity is typically grounded within an agricultural heritage. In effect, the Ballarat rural areas are majorly concerned with livestock keeping and growing crops.However, climate changes sometimes affect their farming adversely thus giving the farmers financial constraints. When such situations occur, some farmers opt to take their lives when things get worse on their side. Unlike, the urban Ballarat where counselling psychologists are many, the farmers in the rural Ballarat never get help. For many years, the rural community has been marginalized because three-quarters of the population live in the urban areas. Consequently, the marginalization has brought economic challenges to the rural community since they have to depend more on the farming. (Beautrais, 2013). However, farmers in rural Ballarat are not the only people who suffer from increased rate of suicide. The high number of premature deaths in the rural areas due to deaths attributed to self-harm is mostly associated to the indigenous community. Seemingly, studies indicate that from 1999 to 2001, sixteen percent of indigenous Ballafornians deaths were due to suicides. Interestingly, six percent of the deaths that happened within the same period were natural. In effect, the number of people who took their lives was higher than those who died naturally. Accordingly, thirty-three percent of those who committed suicide in the ingenious community were male while fifteen percent were females (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2007) Evidently, the rural community also experiences a high rate of hospital admissions associated with suicide attempts or suicidal behaviours. However, since many remotely positioned indigenous communities cannot access hospitals, there could be many unreported cases of attempted suicide. Apart from the indigenous community and farmers, several suicide cases of migrants have also been reported. (Dalmau, 2009). Migrants in the rural Ballarat have proven vulnerable to suicidal behaviours more so in the youth. Though study shows that the overall number of suicides among migrant is lower, a study carried out in Ballarat shows that men migrants had a higher suicidal rate when they lived in rural areas. However, the suicide rate among the female migrants remained constant, though; this depended on their geographical location. Notably, the high suicide rates are due to lack of social connectedness as well as the isolation and dislocation effect that the individuals undergo. Moreover, the isolation and dislocation effects are associated with the non-English-speaking countries (Bailey, 2013). Prior Suicidal Behavior in Ballarat Studies indicate that the strongest indicator of someone likely to commit suicide is that of a past suicide attempt (Beautrais, 2013). Many individuals who commit suicide more so in rural Ballarat are reported to have attempted a self-harm before. Research shows that many of those who take-away their lives will try twice or thrice before they succeed in committing suicide. A Ballarat City study conducted by Hayward, Silburn and Zubriack (2011) indicate that for the young and old people who had attempted suicide, the risk of suicides was around thirty times greater than that of the overall population. Tentatively, a family that has experienced a history of suicidal behavior faces a higher risk of potential suicides (Beautrais, 2013). Comparison between the rural and urban Ballarat suicide cases show that, while the suicide attempts are higher in the rural than in the urban the suicidal behavior remains the same. Suicide Prevention Interventions in Ballarat The government through the local authorities has put a number of measures to contain this highly increasing suicide rates. Some of the preventative initiatives that have been initiated include first, the restriction to the access of firearms and other poisonous substances such as pesticides. The local authorities have recalled all licensed firearms with the intention of vetting all the owners before they can be licensed again (Baker and McPhedran, 2007). Second, primary mental health-care model in the rural Ballarat have been established to help individuals with psychological stress. Thirdly, the government has established various Rural Mental Health Support lines that can help families deal members who show signs of mental health problems. Fourth is that non-governmental organizations have also come started programs such Moorabool Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Program. Similarly, Community Connections Programs in both the rural and urban areas have started. Finally, there has been the introduction of Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) Projects, which focus more on the local farmers. The projects focus more on mental illness that can lead to suicide (Hirsch, 2006). Apparently, studies had shown that before committing suicide the farmers would show signs of mental illness. Conclusion From the analysis above, it is evident that the rural areas record higher cases suicide rates compared to the metropolitan areas. The rampant suicidal rates are due to both individual and contextual factors. For instance, in the rural areas farmers often face economical challenges related to the agricultural industry associated with climate- related factors. On the other hand, the urban suicidal cases are more associated to the abuse of drugs and alcohol as well as mental and physical illness among individuals. Other factors that cause suicides in Ballarat include lack of money to buy antidepressant medications, unemployment, divorce cases, and relationship factors. References Andersen, K., Hawgood, J., Klieve, H., et al (2010) Suicide in selected occupations in Queensland: Evidence from the state suicide register. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 243-249. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2007) Rural, regional and remote health: A study on mortality (2nd edition). Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, Rural Health Series, 8, Canberra, AIHW. Baker, J., & McPhedran, S. (2007). Gun Laws and Sudden Death Did the Australian Firearms Legislation of 1996 Make a Difference. British Journal of Criminology, 47(3), 455-469 Barnes, M., Walsh, A., Courtney, M., et al (2007) School based youth heath nurses’ role in assisting young people access health services in provincial, rural and remote areas of Queensland, Australia. Rural and Remote Health, 4, 279. Beautrais, A. L. (2013).  Risk factors for suicide and attempted suicide amongst young people.  Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council. Beautrais, A.L., Joyce, P.R., & Mulder, R.T. (1998).  Unemployment and serious suicid attempts.  Psychological Medicine, 28, 209-21 Dalmau, M. (2009). Experiences of an Unsuccessful Ethical Application Process Involving Research on a Sensitive Topic Suicide in Older People. Hirsch, J. K. (2006) A review of the literature on rural suicide: Risk and protective factors, incidence, and prevention. Crisis, 27, 189-199. McLaren, S., Gomez, R., Bailey, M., & Van Der Horst, R. K. (2007). The association of depression and sense of belonging with suicidal ideation among older adults: Applicability of resiliency models. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 37(1), 89 102. Proctor, N. G. (2005) Parasuicide, self-harm and suicide in Aboriginal people in rural Australia: A review of the literature with implications for mental health nursing practice. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 11, 237-241. Zimmerman, S. L. (2012) States’ spending for public welfare and their suicide rates, 1960 to 1995: What is the problem? Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 190, 349-365. Read More