Finding into death of Taylor Page Janssen

Contributing factors

• Suicide of recent ex-boyfriend Zac Harvey
• Exposure to suicidal behaviour in social network
• Online access to harmful information about methods
• Youth suicide cluster in Greater Geelong 2009
• Media coverage of youth suicides
• Lack of real-time intelligence gathering on youth suicide rates
• Absence of coordinated local suicide prevention response
• Limited private access to counseling services for young people unwilling to disclose to school staff

Coroner's recommendations

1. The Department of Health together with Victoria Police, the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Chief Psychiatrist should undertake a review of suicide prevention reports including the 1997 Suicide Prevention Task Force Report and University of Melbourne's community suicide cluster response guide, and develop a policy framework that aligns with the National Suicide Prevention Strategy
2. Support and development of policy aimed at increasing online safety for young people, including the establishment of a Children's e-Safety Commissioner, improved parental supervision and education about online activities, and implementation of safety options on devices
3. Enhancement of real-time intelligence gathering on suicide frequency and rates in local communities
4. Development of mechanisms for exchange of intelligence and advice between local community organisations and state/national suicide prevention agencies
5. Development of coordinated local response and recovery strategies that can be activated when elevated suicidal behaviour is identified in communities
6. Media outlets to adhere to responsible reporting guidelines on youth suicide to avoid triggering further suicidal behaviour among vulnerable young people
7. Schools to continue post-vention responses including identification and support of at-risk students, staff support, and coordination with community agencies
8. Expansion and accessibility of private counseling services for young people, such as Headspace e-counselling services