<p>Australian researchers are developing a smartphone app to stop the escalating rate of indigenous youth suicide.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The app will facilitate referral of the young person to local liaison officers and other government or non-government support agencies.<br /><br />"We will design, develop and distribute an Apple iPhone and Android smartphone app through iTunes and Google's android market to support the implementation of the gatekeeper training," Maree Toombs, a researcher from the University of Queensland's school of medicine, was quoted as saying.<br /><br />A community led training programme linking health providers, community members, peers, school leaders and mentors as gatekeepers will run along side the app, Brisbane Times reported.<br /><br />A gatekeeper is anyone within a community who is in a position to recognise the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.<br /><br />"Gatekeepers and a smartphone app are the keys to tackling indigenous youth suicide by providing accessible help to the at-risk youth," Toombs added.</p>
<p>Australian researchers are developing a smartphone app to stop the escalating rate of indigenous youth suicide.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The app will facilitate referral of the young person to local liaison officers and other government or non-government support agencies.<br /><br />"We will design, develop and distribute an Apple iPhone and Android smartphone app through iTunes and Google's android market to support the implementation of the gatekeeper training," Maree Toombs, a researcher from the University of Queensland's school of medicine, was quoted as saying.<br /><br />A community led training programme linking health providers, community members, peers, school leaders and mentors as gatekeepers will run along side the app, Brisbane Times reported.<br /><br />A gatekeeper is anyone within a community who is in a position to recognise the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide.<br /><br />"Gatekeepers and a smartphone app are the keys to tackling indigenous youth suicide by providing accessible help to the at-risk youth," Toombs added.</p>