Queensland suicide deaths, rate set new record highs in 2021
A new report has revealed a record number of Queenslanders died by suspected suicide in 2021 with suicide rates significantly higher in regional areas.
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A shock new report has revealed a record number of Queenslanders died by suspected suicide in 2021, eclipsing the previous high set in 2017.
The report from Griffith University’s Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) also shows that suicide rates among women have surged and the suicide rate among men in the Townsville region is the second highest in Queensland.
The ‘Suicide in Queensland Annual Report 2022’ shows there were 813 suspected suicides in 2021, a figure that is 3.6 per cent higher than in 2020 and exceeds the record of 806 deaths in 2017.
In addition to the total number of deaths, Queensland’s suicide rate among the total population rose from 13.2 suicides per 100,000 people in 2006 to 15.5 deaths in 2021, a figure that is also higher than the past five-year average of 15.3.
The report suggests the Covid-19 pandemic could be responsible for the increase.
“Since it emerged in late January 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic, has increased suicide risk factors involving uncertainty, unemployment, changes in access to physical and mental health services and financial problems.”
AISRAP, which maintains the Queensland Suicide Register and interim Queensland Suicide Register, said 75 per cent of the suspected suicides, a total of 610 individuals, were men.
The suicide rate for men, however, decreased marginally from 24 per 100,000 people in 2020 to 23.7 per 100,000 in 2021.
Of concern, the report notes, the increase in females taking their own lives increased by 16 per cent in 2021 when compared to the previous year, a rate difference of 1.07.
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“This requires further monitoring and understanding of potential implications for prevention.”
The report notes that people aged 50 to 54 had the highest number of suspected suicides for both males and females, with 63 and 22 deaths respectively.
In addition, the suicide rate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was twice as high as non-Indigenous people with 30 deaths per 100,000 people.
“In total, 57 people who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander died by suspected suicide in 2021. They accounted for 7.0 per cent of all suspected suicides.”
The report states that key factors “include past and present intergenerational trauma, past and present colonisation, genocide, and past and present racism, both systemic and societal.”
As expected, suspected suicides in metropolitan Queensland Government Hospital and Health Service catchment areas were higher than total deaths in regional areas.
Suicide rates, however, were higher in the regions.
Deaths among males were highest in Wide Bay, Townsville and Darling Downs with 33.9, 33.7 and 33.5 deaths per 100,000 people respectively from 2019 to 2021.
Among females, suicide rates were highest in Torres and Cape with 30.4 per 100,000 people followed by North West (22.2) and Darling Downs (21.7).
Taking into account all available data, overall suicide rates were highest in Darling Downs, Cairns and Hinterland, and Wide Bay.
The report concludes the new information “reinforces the need for targeted action to intervene early with those who are at the highest risk of suicide.”
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has been contacted for comment.
During Queensland Mental Health Week earlier this month, the minister allocated $177 million to prioritise mental health crisis response and suicide prevention services.
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Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said that “every life lost to suicide is one too many and represents the devastating loss of an individual person whose passing has significant and lasting impact on family, friends, colleagues and communities”.
“The Commission, along with Queensland Health, other government and non-government agencies, and the Queensland Government is committed to reducing deaths by suicide, and to reaching those vulnerable and at risk of suicide, suicide ideation and self-harm.”
Mr Frkovic said suicide rates fluctuated from year to year, which reflected a complex interaction of a range of individual, social, environmental and cultural factors.
“The suicide rate remains of significant concern and the focus of ongoing action, particularly in light of continuing world-wide social and economic instability and predicted natural disasters.”
He said the report’s authors indicated the pandemic has exacerbated known risk factors for suicide — which include relationship breakdown, housing and homelessness, unemployment and/or job insecurity.
“Every suicide is one too many. Thankfully Queensland has not had a significantly increased rate of suicide as a result of the pandemic, as predicted by some experts.”
Mr Frkovic said it was concerning that suicide rates for males and in regional areas such as Townsville were disproportionately higher.
“Again, the reasons are multi-faceted,” he said.
“They may relate to industries with an increased risk of suicide, fear of stigma and reluctance to seek and receive mental health care, such as primary industries, construction workers and other labourers, and ex-defence service personnel.”
Queensland Health said suicide was a personal and complex issue that was influenced by many interacting social and individual factors.
A spokesperson said some groups, including men, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people living in rural and remote areas were disproportionately impacted by suicide.
“That is why the Queensland Government continues to drive a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach to suicide prevention.” they said.
“This commitment and investment will continue to strengthen the state’s mental health care by delivering accessible and affordable support services to all Queenslanders regardless of age or location.”
The 2022-23 State Budget will provide an additional $1.645 billion over five years and a capital investment of $28.5 million to improve mental health, alcohol and other drug services, and for a range of initiatives to support suicide prevention.
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO Nieves Murray said the report confirmed the suicide rate remained “stubbornly high” and that “distress in our community is high”.
“We are at a critical juncture for suicide prevention. Research shows it’s two-to-three years after a natural or economic disaster that suicide rates can increase.”
She said this was demonstrated with increases to suicide rates during the recessions of the 1980s and 1990s, and after bushfires, Cyclone Yasi and the Christchurch earthquake.
“Now, we’re emerging from a global pandemic, the rising cost of living and mortgages are set to increase financial, housing and relationship stress, we’re facing geo-political tensions and compounding environmental disasters,” she said.
“It’s critical the Australian Government urgently focuses on suicide prevention to keep suicide rates from rising during this challenging time.”
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Mental Health Access Line: 1300 642 255
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
13YARN - 13 92 76
Originally published as Queensland suicide deaths, rate set new record highs in 2021
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