Parallel Communication And Problem Solving With Young People On Suicidality

ABSTRACT

Reports on suicide ideation and actual suicides of adolescents have increased in the past years in Australia. Young people are concerned about the statistics but even more so about the lack of help and pro-active intervention systems organised by adults and agencies. This paper is based on suicide prevention forums undertaken with a total of 475 undergraduate university, college and high school students in Launceston, Burnie and Hobart (Tasmania, Australia) in 1995 and 1996. The forums focused on parallel thinking (as opposite to critical-negative thinking), exploration, creativity and pro-activism by the students for applicable solutions in the school, peer, family and community environments to lower suicidality. Parallel thinking was employed to offer a way forward for young people to enhance their future quality of life. These joint explorations, leading to various applied activities, provide a framework for other schools to follow. They also offer recommendations that can be applied throughout Australia and in other post-industrial societies by schools, government and health agencies, police, parent organisations, media, and others working with youth to lower the rate of suicide ideation and attempts.