Hi,
Just a note. I would call this type of program an injury/disease prevention
model. To be health promotion the model would need to include identfying and
working on the underlying causes of youth suicide at a population level.
cheers
Bronwyn Holmberg
  -----Original Message-----
  From: Health Promotion on the Internet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Manjari Valluri
  Sent: Monday, 17 September 2001 16:12
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: Mental health and HP


  Adolescent suicide prevention in Australia

  Male adolescent suicide rates in Australia are among  the highest in the
world.

  The rate has increased dramatically from 1966 to 1998,resulting in loss of
potential years of life lost(PYLL) which is signifiacnt because of the loss
of human potential to the society.

  The most common causes for male adolescent suicides in Australia are

    1.. Depression and other mental disorders
    2.. Alcohol and drug abuse
    3.. Domestic and peer violence
  The Australian government has recognized this new epidemic and had
implemented new suicide prevention programs.

  The earliest one was the Here for Life Program,which was later followed by
the Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy

  Mental health especially adolescent meantal disorders are the targets of
such programs with help lines for the depressed.

  GPs are alos trained to act as gate keepers who have a vigil over
suspicious attitudinal changes in an adolescent and take measures to target
interventional therapy for them.

  Local police are also included in the program,who monitor neghbourhoods
for youth violence and drug abuse.

  Since all these strategies are implemented before the onset of the
disease(suicide and suicidal attempt),we can say that this is an effective
Health promotion approach,although the approach is targeted mainly at
adolescents.

  Community participation which is also an effective health promotion
strategy has been effectively employed by the Government.

  As mental disorders are increasing in incidence and prevalence,health
professionals should use health promotion strategies effectively,because
mental ill health could be devastating not only to the individual but also
to the community as a whole.

  Manjari Valluri





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