Young people who are involved with community and put up their hand to volunteer are much less likely to have attempted suicide, according to research just released by Central Queensland University.

Preliminary results presented at the State Conference of School Guidance Officers and Counsellors held at CQU Mackay indicated about 29 per cent of those who had not attempted suicide were volunteers on a committee. From those who had attempted suicide, only 17 per cent were volunteers.

"Those young people who feel people can be trusted and who are proud to be a member of their school are the ones who are less likely to have tried to end their lives or hurt themselves," said CQU Associate Professor Helen Waite.

The university collected data from 1500 year 10, 11 and 12 students from Mackay in a far-reaching survey that also covered sexual relationships, family violence, dietary habits and sexual assault.

Professor Waite believed the results highlight the means for maintaining a sense of well-being in young people.

Some of the psychological indicators of suicide were not reflected in the data obtained by CQU.

"Those who said they were bored with life for example, were no more likely to have attempted suicide than those who were not bored with life," explained Waite. Enjoying school was also not an indicator of whether a young person was likely to have attempted suicide or not.

Data also suggested that those who get less than $25 a week in pocket money were enjoying school more than those getting about $100.

A brief summary of CQU findings include: - 59 per cent of girls and 29 per cent of boys would talk to friends if they were feeling bad about themselves. 19 per cent approached their mothers; 5 per cent consulted their fathers. Only four per cent would seek professional advice and three per cent would talk to teachers/guidance officers.

- 15 per cent of girls and 9 per cent of boys had attempted suicide.

- 25 per cent of boys had tried to hurt themselves, compared to 24.5 per cent of girls.

- 15 per cent of boys had deliberately eaten until they felt sick, compared to 9 per cent of girls.

- 27.5 per cent of boys had been involved in risky behaviour while high on drugs or alcohol, compared to 19 per cent of girls.

- 69 per cent of girls had tried smoking, compared to 66 per cent of boys. Of these students, 19 per cent of girls and 24 per cent of boys had quit smoking.

- 77 per cent had started dating. Of these, 71 per cent of girls and 66 per cent of boys were not sexually active.