Nearly one in five young Australians have experienced suicidal distress in the past 12 months in what is being described as a “problematic trend” that has laid bare the rise of a group of people with a distinct lack of hope for the future. Source: The Australian.
The data – captured in Suicide Prevention Australia’s latest community tracker – also showed more than 70 per cent of respondents of all ages were in greater mental distress compared to this time last year, prompting a call for the next federal government to take urgent action.
“Each year, more than 3000 Australians die by suicide. That’s nine lives every day,“ Suicide Prevention Australia chief executive Nieves Murray said.
“The leading cause of death for our children and young people is now suicide.”
The top three causes of suicidal distress – which includes having serious thoughts of suicide, making a plan or an attempt at suicide – were cost of living, social isolation and job insecurity.
Suicide Prevention Australia also found that more than a quarter of Australians knew someone in their personal life who has died by or attempted suicide in the past year.
Ms Murray said the rising levels of distress were due to “the accumulation factor”, with many Australians having weathered a pandemic, natural disasters and 13 rate rises over recent years.
“There really hasn’t been a period of respite for the community, any way, shape or form,” she said.
“And young people, those aged between 18 and 34, they are the ones that are experiencing the highest levels of distress and … that is a significant change. Historically, it has been people in the middle-aged groups. This is indicating something different, and that, I think, is problematic and indicates a group of people with a lack of hope for the future.”
The community tracker showed more than 80 per cent of young people wanted the next government to take more action to address the high rates of suicide across the country.
The Coalition has committed to reinstating 20 subsidised psychology sessions should it be elected, while Labor has promised $70 million in suicide prevention initiatives and building a national network of walk-in mental health support services.
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Next generation has ‘lack of hope’ suicide figures reveal (By Sarah Ison, The Australian)
National FREE 24/7 Crisis Services: • Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 www.kidshelpline.com.au • MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 www.mensline.org.au • Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 22 4636
