Comprehensive Policy Analysis: Suicide Prevention in Australia

This report provides a detailed policy analysis of suicide in Australia, examining various analysis processes such as the six-step policy analysis, Quade policy analysis, Urban Institute of Analysis Process, and Weiner and Vining Analysis Process. The report delves into the complexities of suicide, explorin...Read More

FINAL PAPER

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Different policies of analysis process..............................................................................................1
1.Policy Analysis in six steps for finding the reasons and solutions for suicide in Australia.1
2. Quade Policy Analysis.......................................................................................................3
3.Urban Institute Of Analysis Process....................................................................................4
4. Weiner and Vining Analysis Process.................................................................................6
Kaiser Permanente Overview of U.S. Health Policy.......................................................................8
Cross-national analysis of expenditure changes in 27 European nations from 1995–2011............8
Proposition 63: Should Other States Follow California’s Lead?.....................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Policy Analysis can be defined as the process which helps to identify and evaluate
alternative polices for the problem that are related with social, economic and physical factor (De
Leo, 2015). In this report the discussion is related with the problem of suicide in Australia which
is increasing day by day. The various policies of analysis process will assist how this problem
can be solve and what are the reasons that the ratio of suicide is increasing in female as
compared to male. From the given article it can be said that Australian government have done
lots of work to change the life style of people so that the ratio of suicide can be decreased.
According to given report, suicide is the complex problem in context of Australia. There
are different reasons for attempting suicide and some of them are just because of mental disorder,
family history, personality factor, unemployment and even media is also responsible in some sort
of point.
Different policies of analysis process.
Policy analysis process is one of the method to through which decision can be taken
taken regarding serious nature of problem where sometimes it deals with uncertainty too. This
policy try to find the facts in detail so that appropriate solution can be decided (McNamara, 2013.).
The different types of policy analysis process to resolve the problem of suicide in the premisses
of Australia are listed below.
1.Policy Analysis in six steps for finding the reasons and solutions for suicide in Australia.
This method of policy analysis will help to find the detail about relevant case and what
can be done to solve the problem of suicide in Australia and what are the different policies which
have been implemented by government to solve this serious problem.
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 Verify, define and detail the problem: For finding any solution it is necessary that
proper verification must be done (Hanigan and et. al., 2012). The detail study of problem
will help to know know what are the main reasons behind it and what can be done
further. Form the point of Australia they are working really hard to find all the reasons
regarding suicide and why this issue is created mainly between the age group of 18-44
in male and 15-34 in female.
 Establish evaluation criteria: This is the most important area in analysis process
because it helps to compare, measure and decide what can be the alternative and
relevant way to find the solution. In this process, benefits and harmfulness are been seen
in various age group. In this case, to finish the problem of suicide different NGOs are
working and even they analyse the past result with present just to find the effectiveness.
 Identify alternative policies: In order to start this process it is necessary to cover first
two points. To find alternate solution of any particular topic it is required to have
complete knowledge regarding issues so that best alternative can be taken out ( Colucci &
Lester, 2012). From Australian point of view, they must try to solve the problem from
those programs which are working in the case of suicide but if it is not possible to solve
from those method then they can go for research and development work.
 Evaluate alternative policies: It is one of those policy where evaluation work is
required. It must be cleared regarding new policy that whether it is beneficial or not.
Here additional data are required to be collected so that analysing process can be
conducted. In context of given case, it must be kept in mind that new policies are not
harmful for economical, political and social dimension. It is the responsibility of
government that must know what are the additional benefits of alternative policies.
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 Display and distinguish among alternative policies: Here comparison is done
between previous and current policies and this is conducted through the process of
numerical results (Pitman and et. al., 2012). In making the comparison and distinction of
each alternative it is necessary to play out the economic, political, legal, and
administrative branch of each option. In given case, suicide is one of the serious
problem and it is necessary to overcome from this. Australian Government can see the
performance of various policies and then they can compare it with alternative. This will
help to find out which policy is better in terms of positive result.
 Monitoring the Implemented Policy: In this, it is necessary for Australian government
to monitor all those policies which are working to stop the cases of suicide. Some times
there might be issue in any of the policy regarding implementation that whether it is
working properly or not. Here they can monitor whether conducted programs are
benefited or not and if it is not then what can be done to enhance the working capacity
so that cases related with suicide can be decreased.
2. Quade Policy Analysis.
In this analysing tool, the analysis is done on the basis of policy formulation, search for
alternatives, forecast the future, model the impacts of the alternative and evaluate, compare and
rank the alternatives ( Krysinska and et. al., 2016).
 Policy Formulated: Here government can see all those polices which have been started
to decrease the cases of suicide. It is the decision of authorised person that which policy
must be formulated so that maximum benefit can be taken out.
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 Search for Alternatives: It this case, it is the responsibility of senior member to keep
update regarding all those polices which are implemented to decrease the issue. And if
those policies are not being conducted properly then authorised person must search for
best alternative.
 Forecast the Future: As this case is of serious nature so responsibility increases in this
case. Here the main role of authorised team is to forecast the future regarding policies.
They must know what are the positive and negative effect of all those policies and how it
can aware more number of people.
 Model the Impact of the Alternative: In this it is necessary to find what are the positive
and negative impact of all those alternative (Routley and Ozanne-Smith, 2012). Whether it
is suitable to decrease the current problem or not. In context of case, it is the duty of
government to know whether alternative polices are useful or not in suicide case and
what can be the result if those policy will be started.
 Evaluate, Compare and Rank the Alternatives: At the end of analysis process there
must be evaluation, comparison and rank should be given according to there performance
for welfare work. In this case, Australian Government can give appraisal according to
work done. They must compare all policies so that they can find which policy is
increasing the expenses.
3.Urban Institute Of Analysis Process.
In this analysing process, the steps of working has been divided into seven category in
which work is allocated according to situation.
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 Define the problem: In this Institution, the first thing that must be clear regarding
issues (Ide and et. al., 2012. ). In context of case, the government must identify the
problem and for that they must have a detail knowledge regarding this.
 Identify objectives: In context of suicide case, government must identify all those
activities that are creating this serious problem. They must find all the policies from
which suicide can be decreased.
 Select criteria: Here different agencies like SPS, NSPS,ASPAC etc. are required to
know all those area where suicide cases are comparatively high. They must collect
the past information and current data so that they can do comparison.
 Specify the client: It is necessary to find the age group which are attempting the
most number of suicide and what are main reasons behind it.
 Calculate the cost of each alternative: In this situation, it is necessary to find
whether implied activities are showing positive result or not and if not what can be
the best alternative (Milner and et. al., 2016). While finding alternative it is
compulsory to calculate the cost of each plan. In case of suicide, it is mandatory to
know whether awareness program are working or not and if not working then they
must try for alternative. Even they must calculate the cost of alternative.
 Assess the effectiveness of each alternative: It is necessary to know at the
beginning whether alternative policy are effective or not. From the case point of
view, senior member must have a knowledge whether a selected alternative will be
beneficial or not.
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 Present the findings: In this process at the end it must be clear regarding solution.
They must find what is the present scenario of suicide case. At suicide is mostly
seen in the age group between 18-44. So, they must find regarding conclusion.
4. Weiner and Vining Analysis Process
This process of analysis is done on two different basis where research is done at the
beginning to find accurate problem (Kõlves and et. al., 2012). Also, after finding the problem it is
necessary to find appropriate solution. Here problem is categorised into three parts where as
solution is divided into four different parts.
Problem Analysis
 Understand the problem: While selecting this form of process for any problem it is
necessary to understand the problem. What is main cause of problem and what are the
main reason that this problem is increasing. In the given case, it is mandatory to find what
is the main cause of suicide and why people are not afraid of attempting suicide. They
need to study in detail about suicide and which part of the country is effected more from
this problem.
 Choose Goals and Constraints: After clearing the first round it in necessary to set
targets so that problem can be solved (Robinson and Pirkis, 2014). In the case of suicide in
Australia, the different organisation need to set there goals that how they can solve the
problem suicide in future . But while setting the targets they must know what the
limitation of particular problem.
 Choose Method of Solution: Once, both steps are completed then it is required to select
which method will help to find the accurate solution of the problem. While selecting the
method they must go through all the process and have a detail examine about suicide.
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Then they must select the method form which the ratio of suicide can be decreased in
future.
Solution Analysis
In Weiner and Vining, solution analysing process is applied only when chosen method of
solution is not providing the appropriate result. This method contains four sub parts:
 Choose evaluation criteria: This form is chosen from the evaluation form previously
selected method and what are the outcomes of that (Spittal and et. al., 2014). Here
complete evaluation is done on the basis of data which are collected from the obtained
result.
 Specify Alternatives:Here it is to be find that what can be the alternative solution to
solve the problem of suicide in Australia. Alternative must have new ideas and style so
that it can create huge impact on common people and ratio of suicide can be decreased.
 Assess Alternatives: After selecting the alternative, government must assess the
alternatives because this might be the solution. This alternative are assessed only once
research is completed regarding time process, cost and manpower required etc.
 Recommend Solution: At the end of process it is necessary to recommend the solution
so that suicide attempt can be decreased in future (Pitman and et. al., 2012). This all thing
can only happen If government conduct different awareness program, providing job
opportunity to freshers and many more.
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Kaiser Permanente Overview of U.S. Health Policy
This is one of the health care centre of US which serves around 8.7 million member every
year. It is one of the largest non-profit health care plan in United States. Kaiser Permanente was
founded in 1945 whose headquarter is in Oakland, California (Milner and et. al., 2016). It is one of
the largest public benefited corporation which is working for the welfare of mentally ill people.
They try to provide proper facility to all the patient so that recovery can be done easily
Cross-national analysis of expenditure changes in 27 European nations from
1995–2011.
In this case, 27 nation of Europe have made a various decision regarding budget on
healthcare. Some of the country decided to separate the extra fund for patient where as some of
them didn't. The main main argument was related with the issue of health and what is main cause
of extra suicide. The result was similar across all the area and it was found that the problem of
healthcare is because of unemployment, mental disorder, sexual orientation etc. Once they found
the reason behind the healthcare they started the research where they need to find the accurate
solution to solve the problem.
Proposition 63: Should Other States Follow California’s Lead?
In this case, California implemented the new act name as Mental Act. This was enforced
to to protect the people who are suffering from mental illness (Hanigan and et. al., 2012). Here,
people are taken to the hospital only if it is found that that they are danger for themselves and
even for others. After patient are taken to the hospital it is the duty of professional to take care of
patient. As this act is helpful for those people who are mentally ill so it is a better idea for other
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states too where they can apply this act. Country like Australia can get so much benefit from this
act where they can control the problem of suicide in there country.
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CONCLUSION
In the lights of above of case it can be concluded that the problem of suicide in Australia
is increasing day by day. The main reasons behind this big problem is related with mental illness.
The problem of suicide is mainly seen in female as the recent records shows that ratio of male is
decreasing day by day but when it comes to female it is constant from last many years. Different
awareness program for general public and treatment of psychiatric disorder is also being conduct
to reduce the ratio of suicide every year.
In different part of Europe and United States many of the activities are being conducted
like Mental Act, Kaiser Permanente , etc. which are working for the welfare of general people. If
Australia can adopt this activities from other country then it will be beneficial for them as death
ratio can be reduced from the support of different NGOs. To control the problem of suicide
government should come up with new plans and ideas.
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REFERENCES
BOOKS & JOURNALS
Colucci, E., & Lester, D. (Eds.)., 2012. Suicide and culture: Understanding the context. Hogrefe
Publishing.
De Leo, D., 2015. Australia revises its mortality data on suicide.
Hanigan, I. C. and et. al., 2012. Suicide and drought in new South Wales, Australia, 1970–2007.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(35). 13950-13955.
Ide, N. and et. al., 2012. Suicide of first-generation immigrants in Australia, 1974–2006. Social psychiatry
and psychiatric epidemiology. 47(12). 1917-1927.
Kõlves, K. and et. al., 2012. Suicide in rural and remote areas of Australia. Brisbane, Australia: Australian
Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention.
Krysinska, K. and et. al., 2016. Best strategies for reducing the suicide rate in Australia. Australian & New
Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 50(2). 115-118.
McNamara, P. M., 2013. Adolescent suicide in Australia: rates, risk and resilience. Clinical child
psychology and psychiatry, 18(3). 351-369.
Milner, A. J. and et. al., 2016. Suicide by health professionals: a retrospective mortality study in Australia,
2001–2012. Medical journal of Australia. 205(6). 260-265.
Pitman, A. and et. al., 2012. Suicide in young men. The Lancet, 379 (9834). 2383-2392.
Robinson, J. & Pirkis, J., 2014. Research priorities in suicide prevention: an examination of Australian-
based research 2007–11. Australian Health Review. 38(1). 18-24.
Routley, V. H. & Ozanne-Smith, J. E. 2012. Work-related suicide in Victoria, Australia: a broad
perspective. International journal of injury control and safety promotion. 19(2). 131-134.
Spittal, M. J. and et. al., 2014. Suicide in adults released from prison in Queensland, Australia: a cohort
study. J Epidemiol Community Health, jech-2014.
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