Module 1

Question 1

What were the reasons for preventing suicide mentioned since the Middle Ages?

Answer 1

Legal, moral, social, spiritual, economical, and cultural rationales

These diverse reasons reflect the complex attitudes towards suicide throughout history.

Question 2

How was suicide viewed from the third and fourth centuries up to the Middle Ages?

Answer 2

It was condemned

This condemnation was largely rooted in legal and moral beliefs.

Question 3

What significant shift occurred in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries regarding suicide?

Answer 3

Movement away from condemnation towards compassion and understanding

Influenced by philosophers and writers, this shift allowed for a more humane perspective on suicide.

Question 4

In the nineteenth century, how did the perception of suicide change?

Answer 4

From a religious/legal concern to a medically based one

Suicide began to be seen as a consequence of ‘insanity’ or ‘non compos mentis’.

Question 5

What was the impact of viewing suicide as a mental illness?

Answer 5

Justification for treatment and response from the medical profession

This perspective facilitated the development of mental health interventions.

Question 6

How did attitudes towards suicidal behaviors change over 150 years?

Answer 6

From accepting a few cases in an altered state of mind to viewing virtually all cases as performed by mentally insane people

This reflects a significant shift in societal understanding of mental health.

Question 7

Who was influential in changing the views on suicide in the late 19th century?

Answer 7

Emile Durkheim

His book, ‘Le Suicide’ (1897), highlighted the social origins of suicide.

Question 8

What did Durkheim’s studies reveal about the origins of suicide?

Answer 8

They were social rather than moral

This understanding led to changes in treatment and prevention strategies.

Question 9

What is the current attitude towards suicide compared to the Middle Ages?

Answer 9

There is less condemnation today

However, stigma still exists in various forms.

Question 10

What remains a stigma in contemporary culture regarding suicide?

Answer 10

Some insurance companies do not cover death by suicide

This reflects ongoing societal challenges in addressing suicide.

Question 11

What phrase is still commonly used despite the decriminalization of suicide?

Answer 11

‘Committed suicide’

This term persists in both lay and professional language.

Question 12

What negative impacts of attitudes towards suicide are reflected in the medical system today?

Answer 12

Negative attitudes and treatment by health staff, refusal of treatment by mental health professionals, and coroner attitudes

These issues demonstrate the ongoing stigma and challenges in supporting those affected by suicide.

Question 13

What do some coroners indicate in cases of suicide to protect families from grief?

Answer 13

‘Accidental death’ or ‘undetermined death’

This reflects a protective approach that may not address the reality of the situation.

Question 14

What year was the National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy first implemented in Australia?

Answer 14

1995

This strategy was active from 1995 to 1999.

Question 15

What age group was primarily targeted by the National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy?

Answer 15

Aged 15-24

This age group corresponds to young people.

Question 16

What was the trend in suicide rates for young persons after the implementation of the National Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy?

Answer 16

Drop in the rate of suicide

There was a decline observed for young persons aged 15-24 years.

Question 17

What trend was observed in suicide rates for older persons up until approximately 2015?

Answer 17

Sharp increase in older person suicides

This was noted despite a steady decline in middle-aged persons.

Question 18

What is the name of the subsequent strategy that expanded suicide prevention efforts to all age groups?

Answer 18

National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS)

This strategy was active from 2000 to 2008 and has been extended into the 2020s.

Question 19

What does the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) focus on?

Answer 19

Whole of lifespan focus for suicide prevention

This includes particular focus on those at higher risk of suicidality.

Question 20

List the groups identified as being at higher risk of suicidality.

Answer 20

• Those with mental illness
• Young males
• Those living in rural communities
• The elderly
• Those with substance abuse issues
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
• LGBTIQA+ community
• CALD community

CALD stands for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities.

Question 21

What does the term ‘suicide prevention’ involve?

Answer 21

Responding to factors leading to increased vulnerability to suicide

This includes societal, contextual, environmental, cultural, and individual factors.

Question 22

What framework originally supported the implementation of the NSPS?

Answer 22

Living is for Everyone (LiFE) Framework

This framework was established by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care in 2000.

Question 23

What type of approach does the LiFE Framework advocate for suicide prevention?

Answer 23

Multifactorial approach

This approach targets different levels of community/population and individual suicide risk.

Question 24

What are the three levels of intervention included in the LiFE Framework?

Answer 24

• Universal
• Selective
• Indicated

These levels are designed to address varying levels of risk and prevention.

Question 25

What is the role of Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in the NSPS?

Answer 25

Lead a systems-based regional approach to suicide prevention ## Footnote PHNs partner with Local Hospital Networks and other local organizations.

Question 26

What initiative is mentioned as part of the national leadership and support activity in the NSPS?

Answer 26

Life in Mind initiative ## Footnote This initiative provides crisis support services.

Question 27

What specific efforts are refocused in the NSPS regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?

Answer 27

Prevent suicide in these communities ## Footnote This includes considering recommendations from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy (2013).

Question 28

True or False: The NSPS includes a commitment to provide effective follow-up support for people who have self-harmed or attempted suicide.

Answer 28

True ## Footnote This commitment is shared by the Australian Government and states and territories.

Question 29

What is the movement in Australia regarding mental health and suicide prevention?

Answer 29

Incorporating the voices of those with lived experience

Question 30

What role do individuals with lived experience play in suicide prevention?

Answer 30

They contribute to the design, delivery, and evaluation of suicide prevention initiatives worldwide

Question 31

What is the focus of the lived experience collective Roses in the Ocean (RITO)?

Answer 31

Building a safe, trained, and supported lived experience workforce

Question 32

What expertise is the lived experience workforce equipped with?

Answer 32

Expertise and skills needed to bring the lived experience as a voice of change in suicide prevention

Question 33

Name one other lived experience collective in Australia.

Answer 33

SANE Peer Ambassador Program

Question 34

Which organization is associated with the Beyond Blue Speakers Bureau?

Answer 34

Beyond Blue

Question 35

What is the purpose of the Suicide Prevention Australia Lived Experience Panel?

Answer 35

To incorporate the voices of those with lived experience into suicide prevention efforts

Question 36

What does the Peer Participation in Mental Health Services (PPIMS) Network focus on?

Answer 36

Involvement of lived experience in mental health services

Question 37

Which organizations have lived experience panels?

Answer 37

* Black Dog Institute * Everymind

Question 38

What is happening slowly in Australia regarding lived experience involvement?

Answer 38

Standardising lived experience involvement in mental health and suicide prevention sectors

Question 39

What document did the Australian Government release at the end of 2021?

Answer 39

Guidelines on how to build a lived experience workforce

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The movement towards incorporating lived experience in Australia aims to change the view of how to prevent _______.

Answer 40

suicide

Question 41

What are the foundational pillars of suicide prevention according to WHO (2021)?

Answer 41

* situation analysis * multisectoral collaboration * awareness raising and advocacy * capacity building * financing * surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation ## Footnote These pillars guide comprehensive strategies for preventing suicide at various levels of society.

Question 42

True or False: Suicide prevention efforts should involve only the health sector.

Answer 42

False ## Footnote Prevention efforts should be collaborative across multiple sectors including education, business, justice, and media.

Question 43

What factors can lead to an increased risk of suicidal behaviour?

Answer 43

Interaction between social, psychological, cultural and other factors ## Footnote Understanding these factors is crucial for effective suicide prevention strategies.

Question 44

Fill in the blank: The prevention of suicide promotes the health and wellbeing of _______.

Answer 44

[community members] ## Footnote This highlights the broader impact of suicide prevention beyond the individual.

Question 45

What has been the evolution of suicide prevention strategies over time?

Answer 45

From focusing on disease entities and conditions to addressing risk factors and promoting health and early intervention ## Footnote This shift reflects a more holistic understanding of the factors contributing to suicidality.

Question 46

What does the disease-based mental health paradigm focus on?

Answer 46

Addressing symptom manifestation of mental health conditions ## Footnote This approach has been criticized for being inadequate in addressing suicidality.

Question 47

What model underpins contemporary suicide prevention efforts?

Answer 47

The biopsychosocial model ## Footnote This model considers the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors affecting suicide.

Question 48

What is the current focus of many national suicide prevention strategies?

Answer 48

Reduction of both suicide and suicidal behaviour (suicidality) ## Footnote This includes addressing suicidal ideation and behaviour, not just completed suicides.

Question 49

True or False: Contemporary suicide prevention strategies emphasize only individual factors.

Answer 49

False ## Footnote There is a growing emphasis on social determinants and the broader context influencing suicidality.

Question 50

What is the importance of community empowerment in suicide prevention?

Answer 50

It helps develop awareness of suicide and prevention strategies ## Footnote Empowered communities are better equipped to support individuals at risk.

Question 51

Fill in the blank: The current approach to suicide prevention includes _______ and health promotion.

Answer 51

[early intervention] ## Footnote Early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes and reducing risks.