- Almost a third (29%) of Australians have reached out to a suicide prevention service in the past 12 months, an increase of 10pp since May 2025
- Despite over 1 in 3 people reaching out to friends and family for support over the past 12 months, less than a quarter (22%) of Australians feel well equipped to offer support to someone in distress, revealing a public health challenge that demands attention across government
Today, Suicide Prevention Australia stands alongside sector leaders and people with lived experience of suicide at Parliament House to call on the Federal Government to implement and fund the National Suicide Prevention Strategy ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day next week.
Results from Suicide Prevention Australia’s latest Community Tracker, the country’s only regular survey tracking the causes of distress for Australians and the prevalence of suicidal behaviours, reveal that more Australians than ever before are seeking help from suicide prevention services (29%).
This rise in help-seeking is underscored by high levels of distress which remain largely driven by cost-of-living pressures that impact almost half of Australians (46%), with family and relationship breakdown (28%) and social isolation (25%) not far behind.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray, calls this a concerning reflection of the state of national distress, but a promising indicator that when in need, people are reaching out for support.
The Community Tracker also shows that while many Australians turn to family and friends for support, only 22% feel equipped to help someone in distress — exposing a critical gap between willingness to reach out for help and the community’s confidence to respond effectively.
Ms Murray said this data shows exactly why the National Suicide Prevention Strategy needs to be fully implemented.
“Often the first time someone speaks about their distress, it’s to a loved one or a community member — and how that person responds can be pivotal to recovery. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy rightly identifies community training in basic suicide prevention skills as essential, but without funding and implementation it’s just words on a page. A strategy without action won’t save lives”, said Ms Murray.
“It has now been six months since the milestone launch of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, which has been widely consulted and endorsed. Now, we look to the Labor Government to implement this important document.
“Sadly, today and every day in Australia nine people die by suicide and a further 150 will make an attempt on their life,” said Ms Murray.
Leesa Mountford, Josh’s mum and CEO of I Got You says, “Four and a half years ago my world was shattered when I lost my son Josh to suicide. World Suicide Prevention Day is a day we stop, reflect and remember all those lives that we have lost to suicide. But it shouldn’t just be one day. As a bereaved Mum I do this every day, raising awareness, seeking answers and working tirelessly in the hope that no one will experience the pain of losing a loved one to suicide. Too many lives are lost – let’s take action and commit to a suicide free community.”
Ms Murray added that urgent government action is needed to match the rising demand in services.
“Demand for suicide prevention services is rising, but many of these services are already desperately under-resourced. There needs to be a commensurate response from the Australian Government that acknowledges this increase in demand,” said Ms Murray.
“There are a number of things in the Strategy that the government can act on immediately – requiring little more than leadership, not large budgets. Things like supporting families and carers to recognise suicidal distress, making support more available and affordable for people with chronic suicidal thoughts, and ensuring people in crisis are getting timely help from community and hospital services.
“Taking these first steps would be fully supported by the sector. We need to get the ball rolling on the Strategy,” said Ms Murray.
New research from Suicide Prevention Australia’s State of the Nation Report reveals a sector under pressure: almost three out of four (74%) suicide prevention organisations have reported increased demand for services over the last year and more than three out of four (76%) need additional funding to keep up. While some organisations have been able to expand services to meet these needs, many are being forced to scale back the quantity or depth of care, and some teams have been disbanded entirely due to lack of funding.
“Organisations in our sector play a vital role in supporting Australians through all levels of distress. The government knows this – it’s outlined in the National Suicide Prevention Strategy – but words on a page aren’t enough”, said Ms Murray.
While cost-of-living distress has remained consistently high over the past three years, social factors like social isolation and loneliness, and family and relationship breakdown are reemerging as leading factors of distress, reverting to levels last seen in 2022.
Factors causing distress have also shifted considerably and uniquely across each generation, emphasising the need for a whole-of-government approach that equally addresses all factors that underpin suicide risk.
“Suicide prevention can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. It is a complex and multi-faceted problem that requires comprehensive solutions that meet each and every Australian where they are at,” said Ms Murray.
Encouragingly, over the past three years, we’ve seen a 7-percentage point drop in suicidal thoughts and behaviours across the population. However, rates are rising among young people (18–24) and older adults (50–64), highlighting the urgent need for tailored support across every age group.
“As we look back over the past three years of data we have collected, we can see rises and dips, vulnerabilities and concerns that shift and change drastically by quarter, gender, geography, and generation. The scale is large, but we have the National Strategy ready to go.
“Australians need tailored support that meets them where they’re at but most of all, they need action from their government. The government has successfully put pen to paper, but now it’s time to turn paper into policy.
“World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday 10 September is a reminder that none of us have to face the struggle alone — and that each of us can play a part in preventing suicide.
“If you’re doing it tough, please reach out. There are people ready to listen, support, and help you through — and getting help can truly make a difference,” said Ms Murray.
If you or someone you know requires support, please reach out. Help is available and it can make a difference. Phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.
ENDS
About the Community Tracker
The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is a quarterly survey that sheds light on the prevalence of suicidal behaviours, what social and economic issues are driving elevated distress, and the impact of suicide in our community. It is designed to provide real-time, community-wide insights to policy makers, practitioners, and the community and to support suicide prevention activities across Australia.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Australia. Total sample size was 1,376 Australians aged 18 years and older. Fieldwork was undertaken between the 23rd July – 4th August 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).
Following completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates. Respondents that participated in the survey in May 2025 were excluded from this sample.
To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.
Help to report about suicide safely is available online: Go to https://mindframe.org.au/
Media enquiries:
Amelia Hew, Director of Advocacy: 0410 591 134 or ameliah@suicidepreventionaust.org
Alexandra Pursehouse, Advocacy and Media Manager: 0423 196 136 or alexp@suicidepreventionaust.org
About Suicide Prevention Australia
Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body and we’ve been providing support for Australia’s suicide prevention sector for more than 30 years. We support and advocate for our members to drive continual improvement in suicide prevention policy, programs and services. Our reach is broad, including member organisations, governments, businesses, researchers, practitioners and those with lived experience. We are focused on an integrated approach to suicide prevention encompassing mental health, social, economic and community factors. We believe that through collaborative effort and shared purpose, we can achieve our vision of a world without suicide.
