A systematic review of the thoughts and feelings that are associated with suicidal behaviours in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples
Creators: name: D’Mello, Craig
name: Milroy, Helen
name: Lawrence, David
name: Coleman, Mathew
name: Dudgeon, Pat
name: Zaffino, Jessica
name: Woolard, Alix
name: Lin, Ashleigh
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: Science Policy
Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
Marine Biology
Mental Health

description: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are custodians of one of the oldest living societies; however, the continued impact of colonisation has led to profound trauma and loss which has spanned generations. This resulted in feelings of powerlessness and a lack of control, both associated with suicidal behaviours. While research has investigated the external risk factors that precipitate suicidal behaviours in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, there has only been a recent focus towards assessing the specific thoughts and feelings associated with suicidal behaviours. The current systematic review sought to investigate the existing body of literature on the thoughts and feelings associated with suicidal behaviours in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. PsychINFO, Scopus, MEDLINE, Informit Indigenous Collection, Informit Health Collection, EMBASE, Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Bibliography, and Family-ATSIS were searched from database inception until March, 2024. Four studies met the strict inclusion criteria. Preliminary results indicated those who reported distress in their social relationships were more likely to report suicidal behaviours than those who were thinking about managing their own emotional difficulties. Additional research is needed to validate and extend the results of this review. <b>What is already known about this topic:</b>Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are over five times as likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous peers.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples are almost twice as likely to suicide if they live in regional and remote areas than major cities.Previous research investigating thoughts and feelings associated with suicidal behaviours in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, often presents conflicting findings, making it difficult to accurately assess this relationship. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are over five times as likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous peers. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples are almost twice as likely to suicide if they live in regional and remote areas than major cities. Previous research investigating thoughts and feelings associated with suicidal behaviours in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, often presents conflicting findings, making it difficult to accurately assess this relationship. <b>What this topic adds:</b>Feelings of depression/sadness, hopelessness, anxiousness, anger, boredom, loneliness, and disconnection were all associated with higher likelihood of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people engaging in suicidal behaviours.An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young person who reported thinking they had family/friends to talk to were less likely to engage in suicidal behaviours.Only four studies met the inclusion criteria, with greater emphasis still placed on investigating this link in non-Indigenous people; greater focus is needed on investigating this relationship in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Feelings of depression/sadness, hopelessness, anxiousness, anger, boredom, loneliness, and disconnection were all associated with higher likelihood of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people engaging in suicidal behaviours. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young person who reported thinking they had family/friends to talk to were less likely to engage in suicidal behaviours. Only four studies met the inclusion criteria, with greater emphasis still placed on investigating this link in non-Indigenous people; greater focus is needed on investigating this relationship in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.