School environment as a risk and protective factor for self-harm and suicidality: Insights from the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children

Abstract This article contributes to a First Nations-led research agenda exploring risk and protective factors influencing suicidality and self-harm among secondary-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. Using Wave 14 (2021) data from Footprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children , this article focuses on relationships between factors of the school environment and self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among 906 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Study Youth aged 13–18. We found reduced odds of self-harm among students who reported supportive adults (Odds Ratio: 0.65, 95% Confidence Interval: [0.51–0.83]), supportive friends (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: [0.58–0.91]), a sense of safety (OR: 0.36, 95% CI: [0.19–0.68]), and belonging (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: [0.5–0.85]) in school. Higher odds were found among those who experienced bullying (OR: 3.24, 95% CI: [1.72–6.12]), teacher racism (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: [1.05–3.35]), and other forms of school-based racism (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: [1.05–3.35]). Results were similar for suicidal thoughts and attempts. Concerningly, 18% of Study Youth reported the risk factor of feeling unsafe, and 21% reported bullying at school. Closing the Gap Target 14 seeks to reduce the rate of suicide among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards zero. Our findings suggest sustained investment in positive school environments is an essential pillar for achieving this goal. We draw on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led strategies for reimagining school environments to reduce these harms.