Suicide is the leading cause of death in young people aged 15-25 years. Help-seeking for suicidal ideation is low in this population. The reasons for this are varied but include stigma, poor mental health literacy, a lack of access to appropriate services, and limited understanding of how to access services when they are available.

Limited research has been conducted to explore the association between suicide stigma, suicide literacy and help-seeking attitudes and intentions for suicide. Further still, even less is known about the influence of a parent’s suicide stigma and suicide literacy on their attitudes and intentions to seek help for their child if they were to express thoughts of suicide. Understanding the influence of parental attitudes and knowledge is important, as they are often the ‘gatekeepers’ to care for their child.

The aim of this study therefore is to examine the relationship between parental suicide stigma, suicide literacy and their attitudes and intentions toward seeking help for their child if they were to express thoughts of suicide.

Does this study have ethics approval?

The ethical aspects of this research have been approved by the ANU Human Research Ethics Committee. If you have any concerns or complaints about how this research has been conducted, please contact:

Ethics Manager, The ANU Human Research Ethics Committee
The Australian National University
Telephone: +61 2 6125 3427
Email: Human.Ethics.Officer@anu.edu.au

How can I obtain information about the results of the study?

Findings from the study will be posted here on the study website after the surveys are returned and the results are collated.

Why should I participate in this study?

We are conducting this study to explore the role suicide stigma and suicide literacy may play in a parent’s attitudes and intentions to seek help for their child if they were to express suicidal thoughts. Outcomes from the study will help inform the content of youth suicide prevention campaigns targeted to parents to promote help-seeking for suicidal ideation in young people.

What should I do if I am feeling distressed?

If you experience distress whilst completing this survey, please do not continue and contact your local general practitioner or one of the services below for help:

Lifeline

Crisis support and suicide prevention service.

Telephone (24hrs): 13 11 14
Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue

Information and support for mental health problems like depression, anxietyand suicide.

Telephone (24hrs): 1300 22 4636
Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au

Headspace

Support for young people (12-25yrs), including mental health support.

Website: headspace.org.au

Kids Helpline

Telephone and online counselling for young people (5-25yrs).

Telephone (24hrs): 1800 55 1800
Website: kidshelpline.com.au

Who is running the study?

If you have any queries about the project, please contact:

Primary Investigator

Colette Burke
Research School of Psychology
The Australian National University
u6053312@anu.edu.au

Supervisor

A/Prof Alison Calear
Centre for Mental Health Research
The Australian National University
alison.calear@anu.edu.au