This project builds on our previous research suggesting Australian university students report higher rates of mental illness, nonsuicidal self-injury, and suicidal thoughts and behaviours than students in other countries we have studied. Suicide is preventable; the critical challenge is to identify who is most at risk, and intervene appropriately. Accurately identifying which youth are at greatest risk of later suicide ideation and suicide attempt, and offering appropriate and cost-effective referral, would be a significant step forward for Australian suicide prevention efforts.
The aims of this project are to:
- Use data collected through universal online screening to develop a multivariate algorithm to identify students most at risk of suicide ideation and suicide attempt.
- Use this algorithm to implement a stepped-care referral process, matching intensity of the referral option to individual need.
- Evaluate the acceptability, service uptake, impact on suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and cost-effectiveness of stepped-care referral for suicide ideation and suicide attempt in Australian university students.