Suicide ‘needs discussion’

Australia’s national mental health foundation for young people, headspace, and an Australian clothing company have joined forces to urge the public to speak more openly about youth suicide.

Headspace and BMX clothing brand Unit have started the Ride to Live campaign. Unit founder and creative director Paul Everest wants to combat young people’s reluctance to talk about depression and suicide.

“Research shows that talking to someone about how you’re feeling dramatically reduces the risk of suicide,” Everest said.

“But a lot of young people feel scared or embarrassed about having suicidal thoughts — perhaps if the public and the media spoke about the issue more openly, they’d feel more comfortable talking about their feelings.”

Everest said research shows suicide causes more deaths in Australia than road accidents and suicide accounts for more than 24 percent of all deaths in 20 – 24-year-olds.

Australian studies show same-sex attracted young people are up to three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts, and for rural same-sex attracted young people the rate is even higher.

Headspace general manager Amelia Callaghan backed the Ride to Live campaign.

Unit will sell wristbands with all profits going to headspace.

info: Buy a wristband at www.unitriders.com