Rural youth suicide: a revisionist perspective

This paper attempts to assess the incidence of youth suicide in 'the bush' and suggests that the current state of research seems not to tell the whole story. Research points to a plethora of factors behind the suicide of young people - young men, in particular. This paper does not take issue with the fact that depression, alcohol, and firearms are often the catalysts to suicide; but it does question the cause of the depression, the alcohol abuse, and the self-destructive use of rifles.

The argument is advanced that in a homophobic, rural culture, the marginalisation or exclusion of gay men and gay youth, in particular, is a significant although unexplored factor in their suicide. By way of conclusion, the paper advances some avenues of action, especially in terms of education.

This paper attempts to assess the incidence of youth suicide in 'the bush' and suggests that the current state of research seems not to tell the whole story. Research points to a plethora of factors behind the suicide of young people - young men, in particular. This paper does not take issue with the fact that depression, alcohol, and firearms are often the catalysts to suicide; but it does question the cause of the depression, the alcohol abuse, and the self-destructive use of rifles.

The argument is advanced that in a homophobic, rural culture, the marginalisation or ...  [+] Show more