Youth Suicide Research: Some Current Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Rates of youth suicide are increasing. Frameworks for suicide prevention activities exist and span universal,selective and indicated interventions, but how do they apply to young people? In order to answer this question,we conducted i) a systematic review and meta-analysis of almost 100 studies that examined the full spectrum ofyouth suicide interventions, and ii) a consultation with young people from across Australia. These activities ledto a program of work that was specifically developed by and for young people and that has young people as activepartners in the research. In this paper we describe some of the gaps in current youth suicide prevention researchefforts and discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that including young people as active partnersin suicide research presents.