Suicide in Margaret River is a tragic and complex issue. There are a multitude of factors that influence mental health and suicidality. While each individual’s story of their mental health is unique, they share certain psychological, social, and economic factors. By better understanding these factors, we as a community can come together to combat preventable risk factors to suicide in Margaret River
The following is a summary of factors from the Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Shire of Augusta Margaret River report.
Limited mental health literacy
Many people in the Margaret River community lack knowledge and hold harmful beliefs around mental health. Many people also have limited skills to aid prevention and management of poor mental health.
Stigma
Margaret River experiences higher levels of mental health stigma. This delays and prevents people seeking help for mental illness, adversity, and disadvantage.
Persistent disadvantage
There are ongoing multigenerational disadvantages in Margaret River including housing, income, and education.
Isolation
Due to geographic location, there are limited services, supports, and transport options for people seeking help and assistance for a variety of concerns.
Trauma
Both personal and community trauma exist in Margaret River. In community there has been a multitude of bushfires, the Osmington murders, and the Gracetown cave collapse.
Domestic violence
There are reported high instances of DV in Margaret River, even though coercive control has been identified as under reported.
Drug/alcohol use
Often a significant factor for a range of issues. AOD use is also often comorbid and co-occuring with other issues.
Homelessness
Many people are homeless, sleeping in cars, sleeping rough, couch surfing, and in short-term rentals
Youth-specific factors
Bullying is a key factor. Isolation, and limited activities are other key factors directly affecting youth mental health and carer burnout.
Impact of holiday homes
This has negative impacts on homelessness, increased rent, and reduced social connectednness in neighbourhoods
Economic factors
Under-employment and disproportionate employment relating to hospitality and wine industry provides limited career and financial opportunities. There is also an enourmous socio-economic divide.
Impact of FIFO
People working FIFO have higher levels of mental health problems due to factors concerning type of work, lifestyle, and family. FIFO is a primary industry in the South West.
Health services
Health services lack integration and are currently fragmented.
The report also mentions potential ways forward, some of which are currently happening such as the Mindful Margaret River initiative.
You can contact Blake to discuss the report further.
If you believe you or a loved one is at risk at suicide, contact your GP and a local therapist. In an emergency always call 000.
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