Seminar: Sport and Youth Suicide
Larry Saha Room (HA2175) of the Hayden-Allen building, ANU. Presented by Professor Colin Tatz AO.
Sport and Youth Suicide
It is surprising that a nation so dedicated to sport has ignored its role in trying to alleviate youth suicide. Involvement in sport has been shown to deflect, even deter, juvenile delinquency. Similarly, there is evidence (and reason) enough to show a strong connection between sport and deferred or deflected suicide among the young. Sport is a major element in contemporary Aboriginal life: it provides meaning, a sense of purpose and belonging; it is inclusive and embracing in a world where most Aboriginal youth feel alienated, disempowered, rejected and excluded. It is also a quintessentially future-oriented activity.