SSM - Population Health
Volume 8, 2019

Self-harm in the Australian asylum seeker population: A national records-based study (Article) (Open Access)

Hedrick K.* , Armstrong G. , Coffey G. , Borschmann R.
  • a Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3010, Australia
  • b Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 333 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3000, Australia
  • c Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3010, Australia, The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House), 4 Gardiner Street, Brunswick, Victoria, 3056, Australia
  • d Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3010, Australia, Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville Victoria, Melbourne 3052, Australia, Health Services and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Background: Systematic research into self-harm in the Australian asylum seeker population is scarce, largely due to the lack of accessible data. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence and characteristics of self-harm across the Australian asylum seeker population, and to ascertain whether self-harm rates and characteristics vary by processing arrangements (i.e. community-based arrangements, community detention, onshore detention, offshore detention (Nauru), and offshore detention (Manus Island)), and gender. Methods: Data relating to the incidence of self-harm, method(s) used to self-harm, processing arrangements, and gender were extracted from all self-harm incidents recorded as occurring among the Australian asylum seeker population between 1st August 2014 and 31st July 2015. Self-harm episode rates were calculated using the average estimated adult population figures for the 12-month period for each asylum seeker population. Results: 949 self-harm episodes were included in the analyses. Rates ranged from 5 per 1000 asylum seekers in community-based arrangements to 260 per 1000 asylum seekers in offshore detention in Nauru. Rates were highest among asylum seekers in offshore and onshore detention facilities, and lowest among asylum seekers in community-based arrangements and community detention. The most common methods of self-harm were cutting (37%), self-battery (26%), and attempted hanging (11%), with asylum seekers in held detention using a wider variety of methods than those in community-based arrangements and community detention. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the exceptionally high rates of self-harm among detained asylum seekers compared to rates observed in the general Australian population, and among asylum seekers in community-based settings. These findings point clearly to the deleterious impact of immigration detention, and warrant urgent attention. © 2019 The Authors

Author Keywords

Immigration detention Australia Self-harm Asylum seekers Refugees

Index Keywords

community care mental health immigration human correlation coefficient sex difference suicide attempt detention controlled study priority journal asylum seeker male female reliability population research automutilation Incidence Article major clinical study freedom of information act posttraumatic stress disorder Australian citizenship hanging Suicide
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85073701439&doi=10.1016%2fj.ssmph.2019.100452&partnerID=40&md5=e2942154bcd3b30db4cc281a277057f5
DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100452
ISSN: 23528273
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English