Rate of intentional self-harm related deaths (suicide) in Australia is increasing every year irrespective of tremendous work that is going on in field of Mental health. More is needed therefore to reduce suicide related deaths.
That’s why we started Mission Zero, which takes a bit of different approach to suicide prevention.
Suicide is a significant issue that affects everyone – individuals, families, friends, schools, teams, neighbourhoods, entire communities – and it can be prevented. Good mental health is key factor in preventing suicidal deaths.
We believe- Most of the mental health issues can be prevented or help can be sought in time, if we all know ‘How to be emotionally resilient’.
Research indicates that unaddressed suicide ideation in youth intensifies with age. A prevention and early intervention focus is key to reducing suicide throughout the population. The issue is complex and the measures to reduce and prevent it must be rethought, and they must be comprehensive and multifaceted.
“Adolescence is a time of great potential. Decision-making faculties crystallize. Social-emotional skills mature. New interests grow. Adult identities begin to emerge. All of these important changes are influenced by adolescents’ environment and their relationships with parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches and mentors … adolescence presents an opportunity to shape long-term outcomes.” (Frameworks Institute, 2018)
Based on the convincing evidence that brain development continues through to the age of 25, we aim at children and youth under the age of 25 in our first year of operation (extending to higher age groups in operation year 3 onwards). When prevention efforts are implemented effectively at this age group, it will have a ripple effect across all age groups and their impact will be felt for generations.
By enhancing efforts to reach youth, formulating processes for identifying those with potential mental health issues and connecting them to both clinical and community supports as they transition to adulthood, lives can be saved, suicide attempts can be reduced and individual and community well-being can be strengthened.
To do this, first step is Prevention. Mission Zero approaches Prevention bit differently. We focus on building Protective factors in every individual, giving them tools that promote psychological health awareness and build emotional resilience which will serve as a buffer against mental health issues including suicidal ideation.
Many a times, mental health problems take long time to be identified. Often an individual knows something is not right, but is unable to acknowledge that as a mental health problem or start of one. People around them face similar challenge.
Therefore, Mission Zero aims on empowering every individual, by giving them tools to identify what is going on with themselves or others around them, acknowledge red flags, so they can help themselves or others, or seek help at early stages- right at the time when and where it is needed the most.