Suicide Rate in Australia Decreases But Doesn’t Call For A “Celebration”

Jack Heath, CEO of SANE Australia said that these figures shown are not to become reasons for Australia to celebrate.

These number of deaths by suicide are simply unacceptable.

• The suicide rate decreased from 12.7 to 11.7 per 100,000 Australians
• There was an average of 7.9 deaths by suicide in Australia each day
• There were 2,151 male deaths at rate of 17.9 per 100,000
• There were 715 female deaths at rate of 5.9 per 100,000
• Suicide deaths are down in all states except Tasmania
• Rates are down across all age groups except 20-24 year olds
• According to international studies, approximately 87% of people who take their lives are those living with mental illness and those living with complex mental illnesses are between 10 and 45 times more likely to take than own lives than the general population

“It’s critical for the mental health and suicide prevention sectors to come together in a coordinated way to build an Australia where everyone living with mental illness has easy access to appropriate services and support,” he said.

Heath also stated that there’s so much work to do that includes reducing the stigma and improving post-discharge processes for people who have attempted suicide.

This movement will encourage the support of the Federal Government as part of the Fifth National Mental Health Plan and additional investment in mental health.

Heath also added that they are considering looking at the expenditures for those living in rural and regional areas in Australia where suicide rates are twice higher than in the major cities.

Suicide Cases Reviewed

There’s also a meta review conducted in 2014, titled Risks of All-case and Suicide Mortality in Mental Disorders showed that people living with complex mental illness are more likely to take their own lives between 10 and 45 times than the general populaton.

This study shows that schizophrenic people are 13 times more at risk, bipolar disorder are 17 times, major depressive disorder 20 times, anorexia 31 times and those with borderline personality disorder, the risk of suicide is 45 times higher.

Sam, 30, lives with schizoaffective disorder and attempted to take her life in 2003.

“When I attempted suicide, I was in a really dark and lonely place,” Sam said.

“I believed the decision to take my life was a selfless decision. I thought if I wasn’t around, the world would be a better place for everyone.”

Sam’s advice to someone thinking about taking their life is to reach out and seek help.

“I wish I’d known I would find my place in the world and life would get better,” Sam said.

“Family and friends can also help by learning about suicide warning signs and starting a conversation with their loved ones if they think they may be struggling.

“I’d love to see a day where there was no shame or stigma attached to mental illness and everyone felt confident enough to reach out for help.

“Reaching out and asking for help isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.”

Anyone looking for information, support and guidance from mental health professionals can contact the SANE Help Centre on 1800 187 263 or helpline@sane.org from 10am-10pm AEST.  For anyone in crisis call:

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Line 1800 659 467
• Mensline 1300 789 978
• KidsHelpline 1800 551 800

SANE Australia is a national mental health charity working to support four million Australians affected by complex mental illness including schizophrenia, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression and anxiety.