- Over three in 10 (31%) of Australians with children under 18 sought help from a suicide
prevention service in the last 12 months, 10 percentage points higher than this time last year - Peak body urgently calling on the Albanese Government to prioritise suicide prevention in wake of unprecedented demand
As many households prepare for celebrations ahead of the holiday season, new data has revealed 85% of Australians with children under 18 at home are feeling elevated levels of distress. This figure is significantly higher than the general population (75%) and Australians without children under 18 at home (69%).
The latest Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker, released today, also reveals households with children (under 18) are more likely to call a frontline suicide prevention service for help (31%) than nationally (20%), and are more likely to have had serious thoughts of suicide in the past 12 months (10%).
Cost-of-living and personal debt is the number one cause of distress for people with children under 18 at home (50%), followed by family and relationship breakdown (32%) and housing access and affordability (28%).
Suicide Prevention Australia Executive Director Christopher Stone, said this time of year was a source of increased distress for many in our community.
“As the holiday season approaches, a time meant for joy and connection, many families are instead facing overwhelming distress. We’re seeing a concerning increase in demand for suicide prevention services, which underscores the urgent need to provide hope and support to those struggling.
“Take some time to check in on friends, family, work colleagues. Anyone concerned for a loved one or family member over the holiday season should reach out for help.
“Key warning signs include withdrawing from activities or friends, changes in behaviour or mood, expressing feelings of hopelessness or engaging in risky behaviours.
“A simple phone call could make a world of difference to someone who is feeling weighed down at this time of year. Starting that conversation could save their life.”
Mr Stone added that the data comes at a pivotal time, as the Federal Government is currently finalising a National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
“We are strongly urging the Albanese Government to ensure the full and meaningful implementation and funding of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
“The government’s choice to either follow through with the actions in the strategy or not, will dictate the future of Australia’s suicide Prevention sector, which is currently facing ongoing challenges.
“Every day that passes without a clear and actionable strategy has a negative impact on those who are working tirelessly in the suicide prevention space to provide support to our communities.
“It’s promising to see that many Australians are reaching out for help. However, our sector is experiencing unprecedented demand.
“Our data shows 71% of suicide prevention organisations have seen an increase in demand over the last 12 months and 80% require additional funding to keep up. The government needs to ensure that funding meets the increase in demand, but we’re hearing crickets”, said Mr Stone.
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.
Other key Community Tracker stats:
- Proportion of Australians who say that have sought help, searched for advice or visited a suicide prevention service in the past 12 months has risen to 20% (up 3pp from Q2 2024 and up 6pp from Q1 2024)
- Close to three in ten (28% – up from 26% in August 2024 and on par with 28% in May 2024 and
27% in November 2023) Australians say they know someone in their personal life or networks
who has died by or attempted suicide. - Nine in ten (90%) Australians continue to believe that social and economic circumstances will
still pose a significant risk to suicide rates in Australia this time next year. - Top causes of distress among Australians compared to this time last year:
- Cost-of-living and personal debt (46%)
2. Family and relationship breakdowns (26%)
3. Housing access and affordability (24%)
4. Social isolation and loneliness (20%)
5. Unemployment and job security (20%)
6. Environmental and climate change (16%)
7. Social media, self-image and bullying (16%)
8. Alcohol and other drugs (13%)
• Research reveals 13% (down 2pp from August 2024) of Australians report having experienced
suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months.
ENDS
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.
About Suicide Prevention Australia
Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body for the suicide prevention sector, existing to provide a clear, collective voice for suicide prevention. A member-based organisation that is guided by people with lived experience of suicide, Suicide Prevention Australia counts among their members the largest and many of the smallest organisations working in suicide prevention, practitioners, researchers and community leaders.
About the Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker
The Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker is undertaken quarterly in partnership with YouGov Australia. The total sample size was 1010 Australian adults 18+. Fieldwork for the December quarter was undertaken between 4th – 6th November 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates of all Australian adults (aged 18+).
Suicide Prevention Australia’s Community Tracker provides a timely health check on the social and economic issues driving distress and subsequent suicide risk in Australia. It is designed to provide real time, community-wide insights to policy makers, practitioners, and the community and to support suicide prevention. It is also intended to supplement other existing datasets including from the National Suicide and Self-harm monitoring system and Suicide Prevention Australia’s annual State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention report.
