Issues of Suicide Prevention: ‘You Cannot Counsel the Dead’ (IN: Preventing Youth Suicide: Proceedings of a Conference Held 24-26 July 1990, edited by S McKillop)

This paper discusses issues of primary & secondary prevention. Australia compared with other nations has an alarmingly high rate of young male suicide &, with this in mind, secondary preventative strategies that rely on impinging on the availability of culturally accepted relatively lethal methods of suicide are examined. Political pitfalls are highlighted before specific attention is given to suicide by drug overdose & firearms. It is suggested that tightening of firearm legislation might reduce overall suicide rates. It is noted that addressing social problems relevant to suicide is of undisputed importance but this should be combined with more direct practical measures to reduce death rates. (38 refs.)