Government pledges to act on Aboriginal youth suicide

The Australian government is set to act on the recommendations of a report on youth suicide in the Northern Territory (an area that contains about a sixth of the total land mass of Australia and is also called NT). The youth suicide rate in NT is three and a half times the national average. Between 2007 and 2011, suicides among indigenous youth (Aboriginals) accounted for three-quarters of all youth suicides. The report recommends that hospital emergency departments make sure at least one person with mental health training is available at all times to conduct suicide risk assessments. In addition, NT police should assign Youth Engagement Police Officers to communities with high rates of youth crime, substance abuse, and family or community violence, according to the report. Other recommendations include the creation of an NT Suicide Prevention Coordination Committee; improved coordination and collaboration between government agencies; and improved integration among fragmented mental health and welfare services.