is enough being done to prevent youth suicide?

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1. Introduction

The purpose of this report is to address the issue on whether is enough being done to prevent to prevent youth suicide by providing background to the debate along with its social significance. In addition, this report will also identify the parties involved in the debate as well as their differing views and arguments.

2. The Issue and Background to the debate

Youth suicide is a national tragedy that has a devastating impact on individual, families and communities. According toAustralian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), statistics have shown that over the past five years, the average number of suicide deaths per year is 2,320. (Vickery 2014, para.1).This issue has not only been a problem to Australia but it is a worldwide problem that has been affecting many individuals.
The main triggers that cause this issue to break out were the death of three teenagers by suicide at Geelong high school. According to the Australian news it was reported that this happened in over a six-month period and they had all attended the same government school, Western Heights College. (Best 2013, para. 4)
The Sydney Morning herald has stated,“Mental illness has increased in successive generations of Australian youth. About a quarter of teenagers suffer significant psychological distress at one time and more than 7000 young people a year are admitted to hospital after self-harming.”(Haesler2010, para. 5).

3. The Social Significance to the debate

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, there are approximately 100 Australian boys and girls that commit suicide each year.(Haesler 2010, para. 2). Based on a research done by James Cook University, it was found that 85% of teachers could not identify suicidal student. (Haesler 2010,...

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Petrova, S. 2013, ‘School Leads Way for Mental Health’, NT News, Viewed on 13 February 2014

Stark, J. 2013, “Youth 'at risk' in health move”, The Age, Viewed on 13 February 2014

Tanti, C. 2013, ‘Early intervention key to getting a grip on mental health woes’, The Age, Viewed on 13 February 2014

Vickery, K. 2014, ‘Suicide is the leading cause of death among WA teenagers’, Perth Now, Viewed on 13 February 2014

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