Qld suicide shock: One in eight have had ideation

Everyday stressors including relationship breakdowns and bills have outstripped mental health as factors behind people having thoughts of suicide, shock new data reveals.

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Suicide ideation in the state is driven by everyday life stresses rather than mental health conditions, as shock new data shows that one in eight Queenslanders have had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year.

The Courier-Mail can exclusively reveal that relationship breakdowns and accumulating bills have overtaken housing access and affordability as the top stressors for those with thoughts of suicide.

And Suicide Prevention Australia’s latest Queensland Community Tracker shows there has been a concerning drop in people reaching out for help when in crisis.

Queensland has one of the highest suicide rates in the country, accounting for nearly one in four lives lost nationwide.

Last year 769 died, and in 2023 the figure was 782.

Suicide Prevention Australia acting CEO Christopher Stone said: “According to the latest reporting from the Interim Queensland Suicide Register, from the start of this year until April there were 239 suspected suicide deaths in Queensland.

“While this is a decrease from the five-year peak of 271 for the same period in 2022, we must not lose sight of the fact that each of those 239 deaths represents a life lost and a community deeply affected this year.

R U OK? community ambassador Jacqui Gillespie. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“What’s also concerning is that despite a slight decline in suspected suicide deaths, suicidal

behaviour is on the rise.”

Suicide Prevention Australia’s data shows that it is not just mental health conditions driving distress, but the pressures of everyday life.

“And that’s a key reason many people don’t seek help — because they don’t necessarily identify what they’re experiencing as a mental health problem,” Mr Stone said.

“They see it as stress, or life being tough, rather than something they could or should talk to someone about.”

Only half of those who lose their life to suicide each year are accessing mental health

services at the time.

Queensland-based R U OK? community ambassador Jacqui Gillespie said seeking help could be costly.

“I personally work with members of the community who have cancelled much-needed psychology appointments purely due to lack of affordability,” she said.

“I have also witnessed and supported community members who have reached out for desperate help from emergency services, only to be sent home without any support as the mental health wards are full and no beds were available.

“After being neglected repeatedly, these people unfortunately can cease seeking help.”

Originally published as Qld suicide shock: One in eight have had ideation