Mediating Tragedy: Facebook, Aboriginal Peoples and Suicide

Authors

  • Bronwyn Lee Carlson University of Wollongong
  • Terri Farrelly The Echidna Group: Indigenous Research and Development Consultancy
  • Ryan Frazer University of Wollongong
  • Fiona Borthwick University of Wollongong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v19i0.1174

Keywords:

social media, Indigenous, Aboriginal, social networking, suicide

Abstract

Some Australian Aboriginal communities experience suicide rates that are among the highest in the world. They are also, however, avid social media users—approximately 20% higher than the national average. This article presents some preliminary findings from a current national study, funded by the Australian Research Council, titled Aboriginal identity and community online: a sociological exploration of Aboriginal peoples’ use of online social media. The purpose of the study is to gain insights into how Aboriginal peoples utilise and interact on social media, and how these technologies can assist with suicide prevention strategies. It found that Aboriginal people are engaging with Facebook to both seek and offer help for issues relating to suicide and self-harm. An existing continuum of suicide prevention strategies was evident—from light emotional support to direct suicide intervention involving health services. These strategies can be leveraged to implement effective and appropriate suicide prevention programs.

Author Biographies

Bronwyn Lee Carlson, University of Wollongong

Bronwyn is an Associate Professor, of Indigenous Studies, Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts at the University of Wollongong.

Terri Farrelly, The Echidna Group: Indigenous Research and Development Consultancy

Dr Terri Farrelly is a research consultant for The Echidna Group: Indigenous Research and Development Consultancy and is widely published on the topic of suicide in relation to Aboriginal communities.

Ryan Frazer, University of Wollongong

Ryan Frazer is an Associate Research Fellow working on the Aboriginal identity and community online: a sociological exploration of Aboriginal peoples' use of social media project.

Fiona Borthwick, University of Wollongong

Dr Fiona Borthwick lectures in the Sociology at the University of Wollongong.

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Published

2015-11-26

How to Cite

Carlson, B. L., Farrelly, T., Frazer, R., & Borthwick, F. (2015). Mediating Tragedy: Facebook, Aboriginal Peoples and Suicide. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 19. https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v19i0.1174

Issue

Section

Research on Indigenous use of Information and Communication Technologies