Abstract
BackgroundIn Australia, farming populations have been identified as having higher rates of suicide, in comparison to metropolitan, rural and regional communities. The reasons for this are unclear although stigma is considered a risk factor. This study was designed to understand the role of suicide stigma and suicide literacy and the relationship between these.MethodsA mixed-methods online intervention was developed. This paper reports on baseline quantitative data (suicide stigma, suicide literacy and suicide effect) collected from male and female rural Australian participants (N = 536) with an experience of suicide.ResultsWhen compared with previous Australian community samples, our sample demonstrated higher levels of stigma and higher levels of suicide literacy. Males were more likely to have considered suicide than females. Females were more likely than males to report a devastating and ongoing effect of suicide bereavement, but less likely than a previous Australian community sample.ConclusionResults of this study reiterate the need for improved understanding of the risk factors and experience of suicide within the context of life and work in rural Australian farming communities and how ‘best practice’ can be adapted to improve stigma reduction and suicide prevention efforts.Trial registrationThis research project was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) (ACTRN12616000289415) on 7th March, 2016.
Highlights
In Australia, farming populations have been identified as having higher rates of suicide, in comparison to metropolitan, rural and regional communities
This paper describes baseline data from the Australian rural farming community—including demographics and suicide experience—and levels of self-and perceived-suicide stigma, suicide literacy and suicide effect relative to previously measured community samples
Participant profile Participants engaged from every state and mainland territory across Australia with particular engagement noted in rural and remote areas
Summary
In Australia, farming populations have been identified as having higher rates of suicide, in comparison to metropolitan, rural and regional communities The reasons for this are unclear stigma is considered a risk factor. Understanding suicide and its effect in rural farming communities Elevated rates of rural suicide are consistently reported across developed and developing nations [1]. In Australia, farming populations have been identified as having higher rates of suicide, in comparison to metropolitan, rural and regional communities [2,3,4,5,6]. This paper describes baseline data from the Australian rural farming community—including demographics and suicide experience—and levels of self-and perceived-suicide stigma, suicide literacy and suicide effect relative to previously measured community samples
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