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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Online assessment of suicide stigma, literacy and effect in Australia’s rural farming community

Authors: Alison J. Kennedy, Susan A. Brumby, Vincent Lawrence Versace, Tristan Brumby-Rendell

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

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 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.

Methods

A 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.

Results

When 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.

Conclusion

Results 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 registration

This research project was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) (ACTRN12616000289​415) on 7th March, 2016.
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Metadata
Title
Online assessment of suicide stigma, literacy and effect in Australia’s rural farming community
Authors
Alison J. Kennedy
Susan A. Brumby
Vincent Lawrence Versace
Tristan Brumby-Rendell
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5750-9

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