Finding into death of Zachary Stanely Harvey

Contributing factors

• Recent relationship dissolution with girlfriend
• Exposure to suicide in social network (subsequent death of girlfriend)
• Media reporting amplifying awareness of deaths in community
• Lack of accessible private counselling services for students in 2009
• Part of identified youth suicide cluster in Greater Geelong in 2009

Coroner's recommendations

1. Department of Health, Victoria Police, Municipal Association of Victoria, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Chief Psychiatrist undertake review of suicide prevention reports (1997 Suicide Prevention Task Force Report, University of Melbourne 2012 report) and develop policy framework aligning with National Suicide Prevention Strategy
2. Establish ongoing gathering of real-time intelligence on frequency and rate of suicide in local communities
3. Develop exchange of intelligence and advice between local community organisations and state and national organisations responsible for suicide prevention
4. Develop nuanced understanding of presence and combination of risk factors influencing suicidal activity among community groups
5. Establish co-ordinated local response and recovery strategy that can be activated when concerns arise about elevated levels of suicidal behaviour
6. Integrate community-level involvement into broader Victorian suicide prevention plan or strategy