A Quarter of Us Know Someone Who Died By Suicide in the Past 12 Months

Trigger warning: this article discusses suicide.

In a survey conducted by Suicide Prevention Australia, it’s been found that one in four Australians report knowing someone who has died by suicide during the past 12 months of the pandemic, which is equivalent to five million people.

The grim statistic is a reminder of the impacts that social isolation, a struggling economy, and a tough job market are having on Australians—particularly women.

Because of these findings, the organisation is calling for the federal government to introduce a standalone national suicide prevention act that requires all government decisions to consider and mitigate suicide risks for the next two years in a row.

This legislation would mean that suicide is not just treated as a health issue, but as a whole life issue that can be impacted by all government policies.

Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray explained that there are links between major social and economic events and any major increase in suicide.

“There have never been more lives lost to suicide in this country,” Ms Murray said.

“Australia needs a national Suicide Prevention Act, and we need to act now.

“We all have a role to play in preventing suicide. An Act will legislate a whole-of-government priority to prevent suicide and focus the attention of every agency to address the risk of suicide across our community.”

She explained that legislation is the best possible prevention against suicide rates increasing. Particularly government support in terms of the economy, employment, and national welfare.

“We know social and economic isolation are the biggest drivers of suicide rates and COVID-19 has seen Australians subject to 18 months of rolling lockdowns and disruption to their personal lives, employment and businesses,” she continued.

“We’ve seen how quickly COVID-19 cases can get out of hand and we need to have the same national policy focus and vigilance to stop suicide rates doing the same.

“The fact an overwhelming majority of Australians support this low-cost, low-risk, low-impact, high-outcome option should be the green light the Federal Government needs. The heightened economic and social threat posed by COVID-19 means we cannot afford to wait to legislate.”

The federal government’s Australian Institute of Health and Welfare echoed the thoughts of Ms Murray.

“While an individual’s reasons are personal and often complex, overall peaks and troughs in rates and numbers of deaths by suicide coincide—more or less—with social and economic events.”

While we only have a few numbers now, the rest of the Suicide Prevention Australia’s State of the Nation Report will be officially released this Friday 10 September, on World Suicide Prevention day.

The key findings released from the report found that:

• In the past year, one in four (25 per cent) Australians say they know someone in their personal life or networks who have died by or attempted suicide either directly (15 per cent) or indirectly (11 per cent).
• More than one in four (27 per cent) Australians say they have either directly (16 per cent) or indirectly (16 per cent) sought help or searched for advice from a suicide prevention service in the past 12 months.
• Australians believe that the people most at risk of suicide over the next 12 months are young people 12-25 years (42 per cent), middle-aged Australians 25-55 years (29 per cent) and men (29 per cent).
• Other groups thought to be most at risk include Australians living in regional and rural areas (24 per cent), LGBTQI Australians (21 per cent), Indigenous Australians (18 per cent) and older Australians 55+ years (18 per cent).
• Two thirds (67 per cent) of Australians agree that all Government decisions should consider the risk of suicide and have clear plans in place to mitigate any negative impacts following the decision.
• Two thirds (66 per cent) of Australians agree that Australia should introduce a standalone Suicide Prevention Act similar to Japan, which looks to take a whole-of-government and not just a health approach to suicide prevention.

Suicide is a massive issue in Australia that affects all of our lives.

If you or someone you know is struggling right now, reach out to trusted adults, friends, family or mental health professionals in your life.

You can also call Lifeline, Kids Helpline, headspace, Beyond Blue or the Suicide Call Back Service if you need extra support.

In these tough times and uncertainty about the future, it’s normal to feel isolated, worried or sometimes a little stressed. It’s important to always acknowledge when you’re struggling and reach out when you can.

We can get through this together.

Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts, sexual assault or domestic and family violence? Seeking to support someone who is? Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times.

Header Image: Joshua Rawson-Harris via Unsplash