Suicide Rates on the Rise in Australia Due to Cost of Living Pressures: How You Can Help.

Caution:?Some people may find parts of this content confronting or distressing.

Please carefully consider your needs when reading the following information about suicide and self-harm. If this material raises concerns for you contact Lifeline?on 13 11 14.

The information included here places an emphasis on data, and as such, can appear to depersonalise the pain and loss behind the statistics. I would like to start by acknowledging the individuals, families and communities affected by suicide each year in Australia.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that information relating to Indigenous suicide and self-harm is included.

Cost of Living Increasing Risks

New research from?Suicide Prevention Australia?shows that almost half of all Australians (46%) are reporting increased distress from cost-of-living pressures. This represents a significant increase of 5 percentage points from the previous quarter. Housing affordability is another major concern, with 23% of Australians experiencing increased distress in this area. Unemployment is also causing increasing levels of distress, particularly among middle-aged, middle-wage Australians.

Australians have ranked cost-of-living and personal debt, housing access and affordability, and unemployment and job security as the top three risks for increasing suicide rates in the next 12 months. This is overtaking social isolation and relationship breakdown. The report also showed that one in six (16%) Australians have reported serious thoughts of suicide in the past year. The?Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates for the 10th time in a row, reaching a high of 3.6%. The RBA believes that further tightening of monetary policy will be necessary to ensure that inflation returns to target and that high inflation is only temporary. However, this will no doubt increase pressures for Australian's.??

Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray, has called on the Federal Government to take urgent action to address rising rates of distress and suicide. This includes an urgent funding boost for frontline suicide prevention services, a multi-million-dollar relief package to support frontline services and crisis lines, and an additional $43 million over two years to support those most at-risk of suicide.

Murray also called for the Federal Government to introduce a Suicide Prevention Act to legislate whole-of-government transparency and accountability for suicide prevention. This would prevent tragedies from happening again and ensure that human, not just economic, wellbeing is considered in policy decisions.

The State of Suicide in Australia

Suicide is a major public health concern in Australia, with approximately 3,000 people dying by suicide each year. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44 years, with males accounting for approximately three-quarters of all suicide deaths.

According to the latest data from NSW Ministry of Health and the Coroners Court of Victoria, male suicide has risen by 15% in NSW and 8% in VIC respectively. Notably this trend exceeds the pre-covid highs and according to the?Australian Bureau of Statistics, the suicide rate in Australia increased by 6.5% from 2019 to 2020. This is the largest annual increase in suicide rate in two decades. The COVID-19 pandemic is believed to have contributed to the increase in suicide rates, with lockdowns and other restrictions causing widespread social and economic disruption.

There are also significant disparities in suicide rates across different populations in Australia. First Nations are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous Australians. The suicide rate among rural and remote communities is also higher than in urban areas, with factors such as isolation, lack of access to mental health services, and social and economic disadvantage contributing to the higher rates.

Efforts to address suicide in Australia have been ongoing, with the government investing in suicide prevention strategies and initiatives. However, there are still significant gaps in mental health services and support, particularly in rural and remote areas. More needs to be done to address the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to suicide, such as poverty, unemployment, and social isolation. Addressing these issues will require a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach, with a focus on improving mental health services and support, addressing social and economic disadvantage, and promoting social connectedness and community resilience.

Causes and Risk Factors:

There is no one single cause of suicide, but rather a complex interplay of various risk factors that can contribute to suicidal ideation and behavior. Some of the risk factors for suicide in Australia include:

1. Mental illness:?Many people who die by suicide have a mental illness, with depression being the most common. A history of suicide ideation and previous attempts can also increase risk.
2. Substance abuse:?Alcohol and drug abuse can increase suicide risk by exacerbating underlying mental health issues and impairing judgment.
3. Trauma and adverse life events:?Experiencing trauma or a significant life event such as the loss of a loved one, relationship breakdown, or financial difficulties can increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior.
4. Social isolation:?Lack of social support and feelings of loneliness and isolation can increase suicide risk.
5. Access to lethal means:?Access to lethal means such as firearms or medication can increase the likelihood of a suicide attempt being fatal.
6. Age and gender:?In Australia, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, with middle-aged men being at particularly high risk. Indigenous Australians also have a higher suicide rate than non-Indigenous Australians.
7. Stigma and lack of help-seeking behavior:?Stigma surrounding mental illness and a reluctance to seek help can prevent people from accessing the support they need and increase suicide risk.

It is important to note that not all people with these risk factors will experience suicidal ideation or behavior. However, identifying and addressing these risk factors can help prevent suicide and improve mental health outcomes.

Prevention and Support:

Despite the alarming statistics, there are many resources and support available for those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or know someone who is.

Here are some ways to prevent suicide and find support in Australia:

1. Seek professional help:?If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek professional help immediately. Talk to a doctor, mental health professional, or helpline such as Lifeline or?BeyondBlue.
2. Build supportive relationships:?Having supportive relationships with friends, family, or support groups can help individuals cope with stress and prevent suicide. It's important to build a strong support system and seek help from trusted people.
3. Create a safety plan:?If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, create a safety plan that outlines steps to take during a crisis. This can include contacting a crisis helpline or support person, avoiding alcohol or drugs, and seeking professional help.
4. Reduce access to means:?Reducing access to lethal means of suicide, such as firearms or medication, can save lives. Locking up firearms and properly disposing of medication can help prevent impulsive suicides.
5. Address risk factors:?Addressing risk factors such as mental illness, substance abuse, or relationship problems can help prevent suicide. Seeking treatment for mental health issues or substance abuse, and addressing relationship problems through therapy or counseling can be helpful.
6. Increase awareness:?Increasing public awareness about suicide and mental health can help reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek help. It's important to educate the public about the warning signs of suicide and how to seek help.
7. Support suicide prevention organizations:?Supporting suicide prevention organizations such as Suicide Prevention Australia or Lifeline can help provide resources and support for those in need. Donating time, money, or resources can help make a difference in the lives of those struggling with suicidal thoughts.

While there are many risk factors that contribute to suicide, there are also many resources and support available to those who are struggling. It's important to seek professional help, build supportive relationships, create a safety plan, reduce access to means, address risk factors, increase awareness, and support suicide prevention organizations. Together, we can work to prevent suicide and promote mental health and well-being in Australia.

Looking Forward

The issue of suicide in Australia is a complex one, and addressing it will require a multi-faceted approach. It is important to continue research and data collection to better understand the underlying causes and risk factors of suicide, as well as the effectiveness of prevention and support initiatives.

One promising development is the increasing focus on mental health and suicide prevention in the public discourse. This has led to increased funding for mental health services and suicide prevention initiatives, as well as greater awareness and destigmatization of mental health issues.

In recent years, there have been several national strategies and initiatives aimed at reducing suicide rates in Australia.?National suicide prevention strategy for Australia’s health system: 2020–2023?provides a framework for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, with a focus on collaboration between government, organizations, and communities. The?Living is for Everyone Framework?is the latest in a series of national suicide prevention initiatives in Australia that began in the early 1990s. It provides national policy for action based on the best available evidence to guide activities aimed at reducing the rate at which people take their own lives. The materials aim to support population health approaches and prevention activities that will assist in reducing the loss of life through suicide in Australia.

Other initiatives include the development of new technologies, such as apps and online platforms, to provide mental health support and resources. There is also increasing recognition of the importance of early intervention and prevention programs in schools and workplaces, as well as targeted support for high-risk groups such as Indigenous Australians, LGBTQ+ individuals, and veterans.

However, there is still much work to be done. It is important to continue to prioritize mental health and suicide prevention in policy and funding decisions, and to ensure that resources are reaching those who need them most. More research is needed to identify effective prevention and support strategies, and to monitor and evaluate their impact.

Final Thoughts

Suicide is a complex issue that affects individuals, families, and communities across Australia. While progress has been made in reducing suicide rates, there is still much work to be done. The causes and risk factors for suicide are multifaceted and require a comprehensive approach that addresses social, economic, and psychological factors.

Prevention and support efforts must focus on providing accessible and evidence-based services and resources that address the needs of those at risk of suicide. This includes support for mental health and wellbeing, addressing social and economic inequalities, and improving access to crisis support and intervention services.

Looking forward, it is important to continue investing in research and evidence-based interventions to better understand the complex nature of suicide and identify effective prevention strategies. Suicide prevention must remain a priority at all levels of government, and resources must be directed towards addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to suicide risk.

Ultimately, preventing suicide requires a whole-of-society approach that involves collaboration between individuals, communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers. Together, we can work towards a future where suicide is no longer a leading cause of death in Australia, and where all individuals have access to the support and resources they need to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.