Title: Achieving standardised reporting of suicide in Australia: rationale and program for change
Abstract: Medical Journal of AustraliaVolume 192, Issue 8 p. 452-456 Public health Achieving standardised reporting of suicide in Australia: rationale and program for change Diego de Leo MD, PhD, FRANZCP, Diego de Leo MD, PhD, FRANZCP Professor of Psychiatry and Director, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD.Search for more papers by this authorMichael J Dudley MB BS, FRANZCP, Corresponding Author Michael J Dudley MB BS, FRANZCP Conjoint Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry; and Chair [email protected] University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. Suicide Prevention Australia, Sydney, NSW.Correspondence: [email protected] for more papers by this authorCaroline J Aebersold BA(Hons), Caroline J Aebersold BA(Hons) Chief Executive Officer; and Vice-Chair The Song Room, Melbourne, VIC. Suicide Prevention Australia, Sydney, NSW.Search for more papers by this authorJohn A Mendoza DipTeaching, BEd, GradDipHealthSci, John A Mendoza DipTeaching, BEd, GradDipHealthSci Chair; and Adjunct Professor of Health Science National Advisory Council on Mental Health, Canberra, ACT. University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD.Search for more papers by this authorMichael A Barnes BA, LLB, LLM, Michael A Barnes BA, LLB, LLM Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Law; and State Coroner Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD. Queensland Courts, Brisbane, QLD.Search for more papers by this authorJames E Harrison MB BS, MPH, FAFPHM, James E Harrison MB BS, MPH, FAFPHM Director, Research Centre for Injury Studies, and Associate Professor, School of Medicine Flinders University, Adelaide, SA.Search for more papers by this authorDavid L Ranson BM BS, LLB FRCPA, David L Ranson BM BS, LLB FRCPA Deputy Director; and Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne, VIC. Monash University, Melbourne, VIC.Search for more papers by this author Diego de Leo MD, PhD, FRANZCP, Diego de Leo MD, PhD, FRANZCP Professor of Psychiatry and Director, Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD.Search for more papers by this authorMichael J Dudley MB BS, FRANZCP, Corresponding Author Michael J Dudley MB BS, FRANZCP Conjoint Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry; and Chair [email protected] University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. Suicide Prevention Australia, Sydney, NSW.Correspondence: [email protected] for more papers by this authorCaroline J Aebersold BA(Hons), Caroline J Aebersold BA(Hons) Chief Executive Officer; and Vice-Chair The Song Room, Melbourne, VIC. Suicide Prevention Australia, Sydney, NSW.Search for more papers by this authorJohn A Mendoza DipTeaching, BEd, GradDipHealthSci, John A Mendoza DipTeaching, BEd, GradDipHealthSci Chair; and Adjunct Professor of Health Science National Advisory Council on Mental Health, Canberra, ACT. University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD.Search for more papers by this authorMichael A Barnes BA, LLB, LLM, Michael A Barnes BA, LLB, LLM Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Law; and State Coroner Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD. Queensland Courts, Brisbane, QLD.Search for more papers by this authorJames E Harrison MB BS, MPH, FAFPHM, James E Harrison MB BS, MPH, FAFPHM Director, Research Centre for Injury Studies, and Associate Professor, School of Medicine Flinders University, Adelaide, SA.Search for more papers by this authorDavid L Ranson BM BS, LLB FRCPA, David L Ranson BM BS, LLB FRCPA Deputy Director; and Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne, VIC. Monash University, Melbourne, VIC.Search for more papers by this author First published: 19 April 2010 https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2010.tb03584.xCitations: 78Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Suicide and intentional self-harm are issues of major importance in public health and public policy, with rates widely used as progress indicators in these areas. Accurate statistics are vital for appropriately targeted prevention strategies and research, costing of suicide and to combat associated stigma. Underreporting of Australian suicide rates probably grew from 2002 to 2006; Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) suicide data were at least 11% or 16% undercounted (depending on case definitions) in 2004. In coronial cases with undetermined intent for 2005 to 2007, intentional self-harm was found in 39%. Systemic reasons for undercounting include: (i) absence of a central authority for producing mortality data; (ii) inconsistent coronial processes for determining intent, as a result of inadequate information inputs, suicide stigma, and high standards of proof; (iii) collection and coding methods that are problematic for data stakeholders; and (iv) lack of systemic resourcing, training and shared expertise. Revision of data after coronial case closure, beginning with ABS deaths registered in 2007, is planned and will reduce undercounting. Other reasons for undercounting, such as missing or ambiguous information (eg, single-vehicle road crashes, drowning), differential ascertainment (eg, between jurisdictions), or lack of recorded information on groups such as Indigenous people and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people require separate responses. A systemic coordinated program should address current inaccuracies, and social stigma about suicide and self-harm must be tackled if widespread underreporting is to stop. Citing Literature Volume192, Issue8April 2010Pages 452-456 RelatedInformation