Suicide Prevention Australia is calling for immediate government action to reduce suicide rates after preliminary data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today revealed 3,214 Australians died by suicide last year.
The data also revealed an increase in suicides in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, young people and women over 50, demonstrating the urgent need to address the growing crisis in Australia.
These numbers are preliminary with an expectation that there will be an increase in some jurisdictions, particularly New South Wales, as more coronial information becomes available to the ABS.
CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia, Nieves Murray said these figures are devastating and unacceptable.
“Every death by suicide is one too many. In addition to the lives lost, over 55,000 people attempt suicide every year. This cannot be ignored. We are facing a crisis, particularly with young people, and we need more action now.
“Suicide rates in Australia have not trended downwards at all over the last decade. This needs to be made a priority.
“All of the pieces are in place for governments to take action on suicide prevention, with the recent release of the draft Advice on the National Suicide Prevention Strategy last month. It is now urgent that this strategy is adopted, funded and implemented.
“The sector supports what is in the National Strategy and wants it implemented, but there is frustration about the lack of decisive action and the constant cycles of advice and consultation.
“Too many lives have been lost to suicide in Australia, which is a heart-breaking reality. Today’s data release should serve as a national wake-up call to the government that a systemic approach is crucial to achieve the necessary change to turn the suicide rate towards zero. Doing more of the same is not enough.
“Access to data is incredibly important in suicide prevention. The ABS causes of death data is part of this picture, but it isn’t our only indicator. It doesn’t take into account suicide attempts, instances that go unreported, or the incredible strain on our support services,” said Ms Murray.
Suicide Prevention Australia’s recent Community Tracker released in August revealed more than a quarter of Australians know someone who has died by suicide in the last 12 months and a third (32%) of Australians aged 18-24 have experienced suicidal behaviours in the last 12 months.
It also revealed 15% (up 3pp from May 2024) of Australians report having experienced suicidal behaviours in the past 12 months.
“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.
“It’s promising to see that many Australians are reaching out for help. However, our sector is facing a workforce crisis. Without some sort of significant shift, millions of Australians impacted by suicide every year will be faced with a burnt out and resource poor sector unable to help them.
“We need a cohesive approach to suicide nationally to drive down suicide rates, and the sector urgently needs more funding to keep up with demand.
“The dollars are drying up at a time when the sector is being flooded with people who need support.
“We need a coordinated, national approach to suicide prevention that leaves no one behind,” said Ms Murray.
Key statistics
In 2023:
- 3,214 people died by suicide compared to 3,249 in 2022.
- Suicide has overtaken land transport accidents as the leading cause of child death in Australia in 2023.
- The rate of suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has increased to 30.8 per 100,000 people. This is the highest rate in the time series and represents an increase of about 30% in the last five years.
- The median age at death for men who died by suicide was 45.8 years.
- The median age at death for women who died by suicide was 44.4 years
- Over three-quarters (75.3%) of people who died by suicide were male.
- Suicide was the 16th leading cause of death.
- Females 50-54 had the highest age-specific suicide rate (10.7% of all female suicide deaths) and between 2022 and 2023 females aged 50-54 years had the largest increase in age specific suicide rates.
- Suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and 8th for females in 2023.
Suicide Prevention Australia remains committed to advocating for lifesaving changes and will continue to work with its member organisations to reduce suicide rates in Australia.
“It’s important to remember that there is hope, and there is help available. Check in on those around you and if you’re experiencing distress, please reach out to someone,” said Ms Murray.
Quotes from our members:
Bri Bennett, a person with lived experience of suicide who also works in the suicide postvention sector
“As a young person who has been directly impacted by suicide loss, I have seen firsthand how external living pressures increase risk. People cannot sustain protective mental health unless their basic needs are met and supported. When basic needs are met, people can focus on living and addressing their emotional health needs.
“Government funding for mental health services is not only about preventing suicide in those experiencing increased levels of distress; it is imperative for supporting people to sustain their overall wellbeing and capacity to be engaged in their wider community.”
Jason Trethowan, CEO of headspace
“The death of any young person is a tragedy that demands action. For suicide to be the leading death of young Australians aged between five and 17 is devastating. As the youth mental health foundation, everything we do at headspace has a role in suicide prevention.
“Indeed, all of us have a part to play in a whole-of-community approach to addressing the complex and interrelated factors that can contribute to suicide.”
Colin Seery, CEO of Lifeline
“Lifeline is committed to supporting any Australian through their darkest moments and providing them with the most appropriate support, which has led us to integrating clinical services with Lifeline’s existing phone and digital crisis services to provide wrap-around care for the help seeker.”
Michael Collins, Regional Host, The Men’s Table
“Today’s data release underscores the importance of ensuring suicide prevention initiatives target men, and the specific challenges they face, effectively both inside and outside the health system.
“Conventional masculine norms surrounding men and emotions inhibit the help seeking capacity of men during crises, and the need for accessible, low-cost and enduring support solutions remains.
“From our research*, opportunities that allow men to connect with their peers in a trusted environment where they can openly discuss their thoughts and feelings without judgement has led to 87% of men reporting improved mental health and wellbeing and 75% feeling able to reach out for help if they are going through a rough time.”
*The Men’s Table 2024 Impacts at a Glance: Social Capital through Care and Connection.
ENDS
To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or StandBy Support after Suicide on 1300 727 247. 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/
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’s 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. Total sample size was 1056 adults. Fieldwork for the September quarter was undertaken between 1st – 5th August 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).