Below is an outline of the questions featured in the headspace Ballarat Youth Suicide Prevention Project Focus Group. The green text provides commentary explaining the purpose and rationale behind the questions, providing context and insight. These questions were developed with input from headspace Ballarat's clinical team, Youth Reference Group, Parent and Friends Reference Group, as well as the youth mental health organisation Orygen and suicide prevention organisation Mindframe to ensure suitability and safety.
The survey will be completed in the first part of the focus group on a device (iPad, laptop, tablet, mobile phone) and will be anonymous and allow young people to answer without external influence and judgment.
Demographic Questions
We start with basic demographic questions too allow us to see intersectionality in responses
Do you identify as:
- LGBTIQ+
- Culturally and linguistically diverse
- First Nations
- Someone living with a disability
- Neurodivergent
- None
- Do not wish to answer
Have you been bereaved or impacted by suicide in any way?
We are asking this question to allow us to see the difference bereavement and impact may have on how young people answer the following scaled questions.
Scaled Questions:
The scaled questions are self-rated out of 5 and will allow us to understand individual views and understandings across the domains of Literacy, Stigma, Help Seeking and Access.
- How would you rate your level of understanding and knowledge about youth suicide?
- How comfortable are you talking about the topic of suicide with others?
- How likely would you be to seek supports for YOURSELF if you were feeling suicidal?
- How likely would you be to seek supports for OTHERS if they were feeling suicidal?
- How would you rate your knowledge of suicide support services in Ballarat?
- How available and accessible do you think suicide support services are in Ballarat?
Free Text –This will allow young people to privately express their thoughts and feelings prior to the conversational workshop
- What are the factors that you believe contribute to suicide among young people?
- And how do you think this can be addressed?
Conversational Workshop Questions:
The following questions will be asked as a conversational workshop allowing young people to openly discuss and problem solve solutions together. This discussion will be moderated and guided by the facilitators to ensure conversations remain safe and constructive.
- From your experience, what do you see as contributing to suicidality in Young People?
- How do we address this?
- What do you see as causing or continuing stigma surrounding mental health, suicide and seeking help?
- How do we address this?
- Why do you think people may not be confident in seeking help?
- How do we address this?
- What are the services you are aware of? (Local, National)
- How can we make this information easier to access?
- What are the barriers to accessing services?
- How do we address this?
- What supports, resources or training do you need to support yourself or your friends?