Background
Suicide is the leading cause of death among youth-aged (i.e., 16-24 years) Australians1, with past research indicating that rates increase two-and-a-half-fold among youth working in blue-collar industries2. Recent research has identified Queensland apprentices as being at heightened risk for suicidal ideation, with workplace bullying and substance misuse emerging as likely contributing factors3. However, there remains a significant gap in understanding the underlying and protective factors related to mental ill health and suicidal thoughts and behaviours among blue-collar industry apprentices. Moreover, there is a challenge in engaging apprentices in mental health research, and there is challenge in obtaining large enough sample sizes to test sophisticated theories of suicide in their entirety.
The Apprentices Unearthed Project
Informed by Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory of Suicide4, 5 and O’Connor’s Integrated Motivational-Volitional Model of Suicide6, 7, the Apprentices Unearthed Project represents a large-scale longitudinal survey study that seeks to investigate potential aetiological factors underlying and preventing suicide-related behaviours among blue-collar industry apprentices. It covers established suicide-risk factors and others that may be especially relevant to this group, such as power dynamics and the bullying–banter phenomenon. The project aims to build an evidence base on the drivers and protective factors for poor mental health and suicide, with the goal of developing data-driven prevention strategies for this high-risk group.
Project Success
To maximise participation and data quality, Kurt Piron conducted 55 site visits to TAFE Queensland vocational training campuses across Southeast and Southwest Queensland between August 1st, 2022, and July 20th, 2023. During these visits, he invited trade apprentices in person to complete a computer-based survey during scheduled class time. This face-to-face engagement within a structured environment contributed to a response rate exceeding 90%, resulting in over 2,000 taking part. Follow-up surveys were sent to each participant via email 12 months later. Although the response rate was lower, it remained sufficient for longitudinal analyses, providing insights into theoretically driven causal factors underlying suicide among blue-collar industry apprentices.
Presentation Description
This presentation will outline the survey methodology used to achieve a high response rate, which may be useful for suicide prevention researchers in other settings. It will also describe the safety protocol used to support apprentices identified at risk of potential self-harm. Preliminary results will be presented on rates of suicidality, psychological distress, and workplace bullying – highlighting that suicidality rates differed by occupation and gender depending on the measurement approach.