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In Australia, the indigenous youth suicide is on the rise. To tackle this issue, Australian researchers are developing a smartphone app that will be available on the iPhone as well as the Android market.

The research is funded by the Federal Government on the advice of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on the staggering suicide rate. Dr. Maree Toombs a researcher from the University of Queensland's School of Medicine is heading this project and has received funds more than $ 800,000 from the government.

After much deliberation with community members, elders and stake holders, Toombs decided that the best way to deal with the issue is to create a smartphone app for quick and easy access to help.

According to Toombs they will design, develop and distribute an iPhone and Android app through iTunes and Google play store to support and implement the gatekeeper training. The app will give directions to the young person to a local Centacare Aboriginal Liaison officer and other government and non- government agencies that will support them.

A gatekeeper is anyone within a community who is capable to recognize the signs that a person is contemplating suicide. Help will be sought from community led training program by linking health providers and members of the community, school leaders, peers and mentors who will work along with the app as gatekeepers.

Dr. Toombs in an interview with the Brisbane Times said that to prevent suicide gatekeeper education and training is very effective because gatekeeper are the ones who respond to or deal with suicide attempts and they are the people with the potential to prevent suicides.

Both the gatekeepers and the smartphone apps will work hand in hand to combat suicide. Queensland has recorded the highest rate of suicide in the country. The suicide rate among the aboriginal youth are double that of the general population of Queensland. It is more prevalent among the youth between the ages of 15 to 44 and more so in the rural areas.