- Almost a third (32%) of Australians aged 18-24 have experienced suicidal behaviours in the last 12 months
- Peak body calls on Labor Government to prioritise suicide prevention this World Suicide Prevention Day
Suicide Prevention Australia is calling for a firmer commitment from the Labor Government to prioritise a cohesive approach to suicide prevention across the country.
After extensive consultation with people with lived experience, the community, sector, and across government, the National Suicide Prevention Strategy has been released today as Advice on World Suicide Prevention Day.
The decision to release this document as Advice comes after new data indicates 25% of Australians aged 18-24 have had serious thoughts of suicide in the last 12 months and 74% of Australians 18 and over are feeling elevated levels of distress beyond normal levels.
Suicide Prevention Australia’s latest Community Tracker, released today, also shows almost half (49%) of Australians are feeling this distress due to cost-of-living and personal debt which is an increase (+3 percentage points) compared to this time last year. This is followed by close to a quarter who cite family and relationship breakdowns (24%) and housing access and affordability (24%).
According to the CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia, Nieves Murray, this is a missed opportunity to implement a bold strategy at a critical time for the community.
“Sadly, today and every day in Australia nine people die by suicide and another 150 people make an attempt to take their own life. That’s nine lives cut short, 150 people in extreme distress and family and friends left to grapple with unimaginable grief.
“We support what is included in the Advice on the National Strategy released today and commend the focus on a whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention. However, we are concerned about the decision to deliver the document as Advice instead of as a Strategy that was promised to the sector and wider community.
“International expert opinion is clear. The International Association for Suicide Prevention recommends a National Strategy as best practice. We appear to still be at the starting blocks,” said Ms Murray.
New data also 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 urge the government to reconsider the approach and to realign the National Strategy with the original commitment to a framework with an implementation plan.
“We need a coordinated, national approach to suicide prevention that leaves no one behind.
“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.
“Together, let’s embrace our collective responsibility, champion hope and take meaningful action to save lives,” said Ms Murray.
Key findings from the Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker:
- 74% of Australians are feeling elevated levels of distress beyond normal levels compared to this time last year, due to social and economic circumstances. This figure has consistently reached 70% or above every quarter for the last two years.
- Top five causes of elevated distress:
- Cost of living and personal debt (49%)
- Family and relationship breakdown (24%)
- Housing access and affordability (24%)
- Unemployment and job security (22%)
- Social isolation and loneliness (22%)
- More than one in four (26%) Australians know someone in their personal life or networks, who has died by or attempted suicide in the past 12 months.
- Younger Australians (18 to 24 years) continue to be more likely to know someone either directly or indirectly in their personal life or networks who has died by or attempted suicide in the past 12 months.
- The top four causes of elevated distress for young people (18-24 years) are:
- Cost-of-living and personal debt (47%)
- Housing access and affordability (38%)
- Social media, self-image and bullying (36%)
- Unemployment and job security (33%)
- Top five causes of elevated distress:
Hosted in partnership with the Parliamentary Friends of Suicide Prevention, the World Suicide Prevention Day event in Canberra today will include presentations from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, and the release of key data on the state of suicide in Australia.
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.
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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+).
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.
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 World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is a global event occurring on September 10th, bringing together over 60 countries, uniting us in our shared mission to promote stigma reduction, advocate for policy change, encourage help seeking, and honour the memories of those lost to suicide, those who have survived suicide attempts, and those who bear the weight of grief.
In partnership with the Parliamentary Friends of Suicide Prevention, Suicide Prevention Australia is hosting the 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day breakfast event at Australian Parliament House, bringing together key sector leaders, political stakeholders and lived experience speakers to discuss the current state of suicide prevention, and future plans.
