Innovative producers of data sets and analysis
An innovative approach to suicide and self-harm monitoring
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) developed an innovative interactive mapping product that presents findings of the Australian Youth Self-Harm Atlas on the AIHW website. We worked in close partnership with the study authors, Dr Emily Hielscher and Professor David Lawrence, to develop maps that display combined data from multiple sources to give estimates of suicidality and self-harm prevalence for more granular populations. Detailed regional data provide evidence upon which community members and decision-makers can use to strengthen regional planning and evaluation of suicide prevention initiatives. Developed by the authors, these synthetic estimates were generated by linking Young Minds Matter survey data with 2016 Census data and the use of sophisticated statistical small-area estimation models.
The maps present data on 12-month prevalence estimates of suicidality and self-harm outcomes for 12-to-17-year-olds in Australia. They may be used to generate insights into local populations and the variability of suicidality and self-harm across Australia. Users can choose to view data for states and territories, Public Health Network (PHN), Statistical Area 4 (SA4), or Statistical Area 3 (SA3), and the type of area for which geographic boundaries are displayed.
For example, a user may choose to view data for a suicidal or self-harm prevalence outcome aggregated to SA3 areas, but with PHN boundaries displayed. In doing so, the user can visually inspect the variability between SA3 areas within each PHN. In addition, users can view regional variability in associations between youth self-harm and a select number of risk and protective factors. The interactive maps and more detail about the study, including strengths and limitations, can be accessed on the AIHW website at The Australian Youth Self-Harm Atlas.
The maps provide a valuable resource to support the development of targeted self-harm and suicide intervention and prevention activities for Australian youth. The addition of data from the Youth Self-Harm Atlas study further solidifies the AIHW’s position as an innovative producer of data sets and analysis.
The maps are just one component of the National Suicide and Self-harm Monitoring System. The AIHW leads the system, which brings together key statistical data on suicide and self-harm from multiple national sources that are updated regularly as new data become available. It aims to improve the quality, accessibility and timeliness of data on suicidality and self-harm in Australia, providing a key resource to enable better understanding of these issues, support further research, and improve policy, decision- making and service delivery.