We aimed to examine longitudinal associations between help-seeking intentions, help-seeking behaviour, and subsequent suicidal ideation among Australian men. Using Waves 2 to 4 of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health (Ten to Men), we will address two linked questions: (1) whether help-seeking intentions are associated with later help-seeking behaviour, and (2) whether help-seeking behaviour is associated with later suicidal ideation.
We will classify help-seeking as informal-only (for example from friends or family) versus any formal help (for example from GPs or phone lines), and compare these patterns in relation to subsequent suicidal ideation. We will estimate adjusted risk ratios, with confounder selection guided by directed acyclic graphs, and account for baseline suicidal ideation where appropriate. Preliminary findings will be presented, with implications for suicide prevention strategies that aim to reduce the gap between help-seeking intentions and help-seeking behaviour among Australian men.