Understanding women’s mental health and suicide prevention
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eNews special edition
Welcome to the March Life in Mind eNews. This special edition explores how understanding the diverse experiences that shape women’s wellbeing and distress is essential for effective suicide prevention
If you would like to share suicide prevention-related research, news and current initiatives, please email lifeinmind@health.nsw.gov.au.
Sector news
Read some of the latest suicide prevention news in Australia
Understanding women’s mental health and suicide prevention
Women’s mental health is shaped by biological, social and structural factors across the lifespan. Understanding these influences can help inform suicide prevention efforts by encouraging earlier intervention, improving access to care and ensuring services respond to the diverse experiences of women.
Q&A: Understanding the link between missing persons and suicide risk
Professor Sarah Wayland discusses the importance of recognising families' experiences of missing loved ones and embedding their stories in the pathways to prevention.
Gidget Foundation Australia supporting perinatal mental health
Gidget Foundation Australia (GFA) is a not-for-profit organisation providing free, specialised mental health support to expectant, new and potential parents. The organisation helps ensure timely and accessible care during the perinatal period, which can be a vulnerable time for many families.
The importance of affirming support for trans and gender diverse women
Discrimination, stigma and non-inclusive care contribute to trans and gender diverse women experiencing higher levels of suicidal distress when compared to cisgender women. Raising awareness of these challenges and connecting people with affirming support services can help strengthen suicide prevention efforts.
Q&A: Reviewing trauma-informed approaches in suicide prevention with Dr Monika Ferguson
Dr Monika Ferguson discusses the critical need to recognise how social determinants and trauma influence suicide risk.
Eating disorders and suicide: what you need to know
Eating disorders don’t just affect how people eat. These illnesses take over every part of life - how a person thinks, feels, behaves as well as their relationships, physical health and ability to work. Eating disorders can also result in an increased risk of suicide.
Why support is important during the perinatal period
The perinatal period is a time of significant change. Recognising signs of distress early and connecting women with appropriate support can help strengthen suicide prevention efforts during pregnancy and the first year after birth. Perinatal mental health challenges can also impact partners, carers and non-birthing parents who may be supporting a parent during this time.
Q&A: The relationship between the cost of living crisis and suicide with Professor Jane Pirkis
Professor Jane Pirkis discusses why a whole of government response matters in reducing cost of living pressures linked to suicide.
Translated research studies
A translation of suicide prevention research on the Life in Mind portal
Exploring the support preferences of young women who self-harmThe study provides important information about how young women who self-harm want to be supported. It highlights the importance of involving the people who will be using support resources when shaping them.
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Women’s experiences of seeking care for PMDD in AustraliaA study explored women’s experiences of seeking care for premenstrual dysphoric disorder experience (PMDD). Many reported delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis and medical gaslighting. The findings highlight the need for improved awareness, safer care pathways and early identification of suicide risk linked to PMDD. |
Highlights and happenings
Other featured content from across the Life in Mind portal
Lived experience in research interview series
As momentum grows across the suicide prevention sector, researchers and organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of meaningfully integrating the voices of people with lived and living experience of suicidal distress. Many of the leaders advancing this work are women, whose contributions continue to shape more inclusive, compassionate, and effective research practices.
This four‑part video series offers practical guidance to support researchers in thoughtfully and ethically embedding lived experience perspectives into their research and evaluation.
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Your responses will help shape future Life in Mind resources and activities and strengthen knowledge sharing across the mental health and suicide prevention sector.
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Each edition of the Life in Mind eNews has some of the latest news and research in mental health and suicide prevention.
