The Australian Burea of Statistics report a steady growth in suicide rates in adolescent and young adult males. Between 1988 and 1997 the rate of adolescent suicide rose from 27.9 per 100,000 to 30.6. Even more dramatically the rate for young men (25-34) rose from 28.3 to 37.5. By way of comparison the annual murder rate is 1.8.

There is something fundamentally wrong with the way we are preparing our young men to deal with the world, i.e. we are not doing it. Part of the problem is that there is so little opportunity in our culture for mature men to provide support and training for young men in "How to be a man." Women do not have a comparable problem.

When a young man is having problems coping where can he turn.

Not to his mates: they are probably as inexperienced as he is and besides our "mate culture" does permit this sort of topic.

Not to his father: he probably hardly knows him and he is desparate to prove he is a success not admit that he is not coping.

Not to his wife/girlfriend: they expect him to be the strong one.

If you like to think of yourself as a mature adult male then prove it by engaging with adolescent and young adult males. Build trust, share your own fears and insecurities. This will give them permission to do the same. Then work with them, teach them, support them.

If you suspect they are contemplating suicide, ask them straight out. No euphamisms just "are you considering killing yourself?" This is a really scarry thing to do because there is a good chance they may say "Yes". This is a question that men rarely lie about when they answer.

If they answer "yes" work with them to find alternatives to suicide and above all else be an effective support for them. It may be difficult and demanding and he may end up committing suicide anyway but this is a young mans life we are talking about it's worth the effort and the risk.